NFL Week 1 overreactions: Bears to score most and allow most points in NFL? Lamar Jackson for MVP?
Follow
Week 1 delivered unprecedented offensive fireworks as the Chicago Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 59-37, producing a 96-point total that established a new record for the highest-scoring opening-week matchup in NFL history and registered as a scorigami. Chicago matched the second-highest point total ever recorded by a franchise in an opener, marking their largest scoring output since 1980.
Caleb Williams led the charge by passing for 261 yards and two scores while rushing for 65 yards and another two touchdowns, aided by D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai tallying a collective 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns. However, head coach Ben Johnson's squad showed glaring defensive vulnerabilities, yielding 361 passing yards to Bryce Young, generating merely a 21 percent pressure rate, and leaning on Cam Lewis for every defensive snap alongside rookie Malik Muhammad's 49 snaps amidst injuries to Coby Bryant and Kyler Gordon.
Elsewhere, concerns regarding the Houston Texans' defense surfaced after they surrendered 36 points in a defeat against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. While Allen capitalized against Houston's aggressive scheme with exceptional downfield accuracy, panic appears premature.
Houston nearly shifted the contest by forcing two fumbles—both recovered by Buffalo—and missing out on a late potential interception, indicating that the setback was more of a sporadic lapse against elite quarterback play than a lasting trend.
