By admin 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Chicago Bears surpassed 50 points for the first time since 2012 and won a 59-37 shootout in Sunday’s season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
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Quarterback Caleb Williams accounted for four touchdowns – two passing and two rushing. He finished 21-for-29 passing for 269 yards and ran for 65 yards.
The Bears rushed for 291 yards as a team and scored six rushing touchdowns, including three by running back D’Andre Swift (124 yards on 18 carries). Backup running back Kyle Monangai added 100 yards on 10 carries, including a 61-yard touchdown.
Offensively, it was as good of a start as coach Ben Johnson could’ve hoped for. The Bears surpassed 30 points six times last season. On Sunday, they did that by halftime.
The Bears last scored 50 or more in a 51-20 win over the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 4, 2012. Sunday’s game was the franchise’s highest-scoring since a 61-7 win over the Green Bay Packers in 1980.
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Not surprisingly, the Bears offense had plenty of highlights. In the first half, wide receiver Rome Odunze caught a ball over a defender’s helmet for a 47-yard gain. Later in the half, Williams threaded the needle to connect with tight end Cole Kmet for a 22-yard touchdown, the Bears’ third consecutive TD drive.
Despite the final score, this was a seven-point game at halftime with the Bears leading 31-24. The Bears then punted on their first second-half possession.
But Williams and the offense again put together three consecutive touchdown drives. The second was Monangai’s 61-yard run on the first play after the Panthers turned it over on downs. The third was a 1-yard pass from Williams to wide receiver Jahdae Walker that put the Bears ahead 52-31 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Bears, who finished with 552 total yards, take on the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday at Soldier Field.
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 2:45 PM.