Panthers vs. Bears: Who will win the Week 1 matchup? Our predictions and bets
At last, Week 1 is here.
And it’s in Charlotte.
For the first time since 2022, the Carolina Panthers will play its season-opener at Bank of America Stadium, where they take on the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. Sunday. It’ll also mark the team’s first attempt at going 1-0 since 2021.
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The last time the Panthers were here, there was a lot of optimism. They went blow-for-blow with the Los Angeles Rams in the franchise’s first playoff game since the 2017 season. And although the Panthers lost, it sent a message to the rest of the league that they’re for real. Bryce Young, certainly, sent that message.
The Panthers, in theory, have gotten better since that game. Adding a pass rusher like Jaelan Phillips and a linebacker like Devin Lloyd will do that. But injuries will play a factor on Sunday. Nic Scourton (out for the season) and Pat Jones (week-to-week with a back injury) won’t be on the field, for instance. They were the two OLBs slated to start opposite of Phillips in 2026. And there’s little telling how the newly minted left and right tackles on this Panthers offensive line will hold up in real action with Ickey Ekwonu and Taylor Moton still stashed on the injured reserve.
But that’s why they play the game. So here’s everything you need to know about the Panthers vs. Bears matchup — from broadcast information, to our predictions, to our favorite bets of the week.
Let’s get to it.
Fans can catch the game on FOX. Adam Amin has the play-by-play responsibilities, with newly inducted Hall of Famer Drew Brees as the analyst. Kristina Pink will handle the sideline reporting.
Here’s how to listen on the radio:
The Panthers are three-point underdogs to the Bears on Sunday, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Panthers are +148 moneyline; Bears are -176. The over/under is at 47.5 total points.
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Here are three prop bets that you might find compelling:
We’re all 0-0 to begin the year, including The Charlotte Observer’s panel for predictors. This year’s panel includes Panthers beat reporter Alex Zietlow, sports reporter and lifelong Charlottean Langston Wertz Jr., sports columnist Scott Fowler and sports editor Steve Wiseman. We’ll be wrong (and right!) soon enough.
Alex Zietlow: Bears 35, Panthers 28. This one will be high scoring. If it isn’t, something went wrong. The Bears should have plenty of firepower offensively; they’re led by a brilliant offensive mind in Ben Johnson and a quarterback with limitless potential in Caleb Williams. The Panthers, meanwhile, are down a key starting outside linebacker in Pat Jones, who’s an underrated run-stopper. I predict the partnership between Bryce Young and newly minted play caller Brad Idzik gets off to a great start and gashes an unproven Chicago secondary … but that the Bears prevail in the end.
Scott Fowler: Panthers 24, Bears 20. Carolina hasn’t won a season opener since 2021 and is the worst among all 32 NFL teams in all-time winning percentage in Week 1. Still, I feel like the Panthers will spring a mild upset here over the Bears, with the defense coming through with a key turnover and Tetairoa McMillan having a big day.
Langston Wertz Jr.: Panthers 28, Bears 24. Carolina hasn’t had a home opener in four years, and fans — who will be hot with temperatures in the 90s — are going to see the home team win. I feel like Bryce Young and the offense will put together three drives against an average Bears defense and the Panthers’ D will give Young a short field, at least once. And that turnover, and the points that come from it, will be the difference.
Steve Wiseman: Panthers 28, Bears 27. I agree this figures to be a high-scoring game. I suggest going with over the 47.5 points most sportsbooks have set. Despite making the playoffs, the Panthers struggled to stop good passers late last season. The aim is to be better and Carolina may be improved enough to win. But Williams and the Bears will put points on the board. I want to see Bryce Young do the same and I think he will against a not-great Chicago defense. The Panthers do just enough to win.
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