You cannot start out a season much better than the Chicago Bears did on offense in what was an historic win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. The Bears scored 59 points, setting the franchise record for the most points in a season opener in their 59-37 victory. They also set the NFL record for the most combined points, where Chicago and Carolina totaled 96 points.
Running back D’Andre Swift was a huge part of the victory with 18 carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns, which was a career-high in rushing scores. That was part of a rushing effort that totaled 291 yards between Swift, Kyle Monangai and quarterback Caleb Williams. After the game, Swift discussed the dominant win but also that there are things Chicago needs to clean up.
“It’s
amazing,” Swift said. “To be able to come out of the game like that and have so much to clean up, it’s all right. Fifty-nine points is amazing but it should’ve been worse.”
Given how many points they put up, it is hard to believe Chicago failed to score on four of their offensive drives in the opener. Their first drive ended in a turnover that set up a Carolina touchdown along with a failed fourth down conversion late in the game and two punts. So, Swift is correct that this game could have been more lopsided.
Perhaps the biggest thing the Bears can improve on going into their next game against the Minnesota Vikings, who are coming off a dominant victory over the Green Bay Packers, is penalties. Chicago had 12 penalties for 57 yards. While the yards are not bad, having 12 penalties in a game is something to be improved on.
Defensively, there are also things to improve on after giving up nearly 500 total yards to the Panthers and allowing them to go four-for-four in the red zone. However, it is good to see the Bears can still generate turnovers after taking the ball away three times - once on special teams, one interception from fourth round rookie Malik Muhammad and a forced fumble from Jaylon Johnson that was recovered by Bears newcomer Devin Bush.
The Bears will need those turnovers in their next game against Minnesota who is always a challenge for the offense with defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the exotic pressures he brings every week.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: D'Andre Swift: Bears should have had more than 59 points vs. Panthers
