A clash of 2025 division champions in Charlotte to ignite the season features two teams with plenty yet to prove.
The Bears are certainly leaning into any doubts, second-year coach Ben Johnson talking about his team being the "No. 1 regression candidate" at the outset of training camp.
And there might be some truth to that for a team that went 11-6, thanks to a defense that lived and died on takeaways and a second-year quarterback, Caleb Williams, who engineered some unusually fantastic finishes. The defense, which is virtually unrecognizable up the middle in the aftermath of free agency, still has much to prove.
So do Johnson and Williams in Year 2 together, yet it also stands to reason the offense could hit another gear now that there's some
continuity and familiarity with a playbook that's generated so much success for the coach. Johnson has stated his goalof attacking the league's record for most points scored in a season (606 by the 2013 Denver Broncos, incidentally).
The Panthers haven't generated nearly the same level of attention, understandable after they secured the tiebreaker among three 8-9 teams to win the NFC South in 2025 – six of their victories coming by exactly three points.
The addition of LBs Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd should bolster the defense. However, an offense that ranked 27th a year ago is breaking in three new starters on its line while hoping fourth-year QB Bryce Young can be more consistent and productive.
Panthers vs Bears odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Bears -3
- Moneyline: Bears -170; Panthers +145
- Total: 47
Get the edge with our exclusive NFL betting picks
Bears at Panthers score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Bears 24, Panthers 17
Those cardiac Bears played last season with a horseshoe up their keister. Were those close wins and late-game heroics a fluke, or just a reminder of how much talent Chicago has? I'm going with the latter. Ben Johnson's offense is electric. Caleb Williams, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift represent a loaded skill group that's more than capable of beating a Panthers team that hasn't come out victorious in this matchup since 2014. While Carolina tends to play close games at home, we haven't seen a season over .500 From the Panthers since 2017. Last year's playoff appearance was a mirage in a horrible division. There's certainly enough young talent to give Panthers fans optimism about the future. In the present? They're not there yet.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Bears 28, Panthers 21
The Panthers are 0-3 in season openers during Bryce Young's tenure and have been outscored 97-30 in that span. Even coming off last year's surprising NFC South crown, it might be difficult to reverse that trend. Ben Johnson has more than enough firepower at his disposal to tax a Carolina defense that might not settle in right away after adding Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd in the offseason. Young has a chance to get something going against a Bears defense with plenty of its own questions, but the Panthers are ill-suited to hold up if a shootout materializes.
Nate Davis: Bears 27, Panthers 20
Ultimately, Young and Williams were effectively traded for one another when Carolina obtained the top pick of the 2023 draft from Chicago, which later leveraged the package into Williams and several other assets that upgraded the roster – and that still shows. The Bears seem to have a pretty clear edge in the talent department, particularly on offense, and should get their new season off on the right foot.
Richard Morin: Bears 17, Panthers 13
I understand the vibes are not exactly immaculate in Chicago — wait, do they still play in Chicago? — but the Bears are still the better team and have more than enough weaponry to prevail here. Caleb Williams will have eyes on him all season to take that next step forward in the NFL quarterback hierarchy, and the same goes for Rome Odunze on the receiving side. Those two developing a tight chemistry will be key not only to taking down the Panthers in Week 1 but for emerging as a threat to the NFC North title.
Where to watch Bears at Panthers
- Matchup: Panthers vs. Bears
- Date: Sept. 13
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- TV: Fox
NFL Week 1 Sunday picks and predictions
- Buccaneers at Bengals
- Saints at Lions
- Jets at Titans
- Ravens at Colts
- Falcons at Steelers
- Bears at Panthers
- Browns at Jaguars
- Bills at Texans
- Dolphins at Raiders
- Packers at Vikings
- Commanders at Eagles
- Cardinals at Chargers
- Cowboys at Giants
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears at Panthers: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 1 game
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