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Bears vs. Panthers Game Balls: 2026 Campaign Opens With Historic Start

The Chicago Bears kicked off their 2026 NFL regular season with a record-setting offensive explosion on September 13, traveling to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, to defeat the Carolina Panthers. Chicago piled up 59 points in the high-scoring Week 1 shootout, establishing the highest single-game scoring mark for an opener in franchise history.

Despite the unit's dominant showing, the Bears' defensive group faced scrutiny for allowing significant scoring in the contest.

Key offensive contributors took center stage in the victory, including quarterback Caleb Williams, who celebrated a late fourth-quarter touchdown alongside running back D'Andre Swift. Following the contest, Swift expressed that the offense could have posted even higher numbers than the 59 points achieved.

Additionally, Williams and Ben Johnson both credited the squad's powerful ground attack as the primary factor driving their record-breaking Week 1 triumph.