Chicago Beat Carolina Fifty Nine Thirty Seven in the Highest Scoring Season Opener in NFL History
Caleb Williams accounted for four touchdowns and D'Andre Swift ran for three as the Bears piled up 552 total yards in Charlotte.
The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers 59-37 in Charlotte on 13 September 2026, and the 96 combined points made it the highest-scoring season opener in NFL history, beating the previous record of 88 set in 2018.
Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards and two more scores. Running back D'Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, and Kyle Monangai added 100 rushing yards, including a 61-yard touchdown run. Chicago finished with 552 total yards.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another, but he is now 0-4 in season openers. Jalen Coker caught eight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers.
"That's how we want to look each week," Williams said, according to the Associated Press. Bears head coach Ben Johnson praised one of his quarterback's throws, saying Williams "couldn't have put ball in a better spot". Panthers coach Dave Canales said Chicago's offence had created its own opportunities.
Elsewhere on the opening Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts 41-23, the Buffalo Bills edged the Houston Texans 36-31 and the Detroit Lions won 31-30 in overtime against the New Orleans Saints. In Week 2, the Bears host the Minnesota Vikings and the Panthers visit the Atlanta Falcons.