Bears vs Panthers predictions, graded
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers · Week 1, 2026 · Sun, Sep 13 · Final: Bears 59, Panthers 37 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Bears vs Panthers? Of 20 pundits with a call on record, 17 take the Bears and 3 take the Panthers. 5 named a score; the median has the Bears by 7. The Bears won 59-37, so 17 of 20 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 77 out of 100.
Who the room took
20 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callBears vs Panthers picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- Sports IllustratedBears 9, Panthers 1
- CBS SportsBears 3, Panthers 1
- The Rich Eisen Show (podcast)all 2 Bears
The other 4 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Bears 3, Panthers 1.
Bears vs Panthers score predictions
5 pundits named a score; the median call is Bears by 7, and the final was Bears by 22.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Gene ChamberlainBears 34, Panthers 30Close · 57
- Richard ShermanBears 24, Panthers 17Close · 64
- Mike FlorioBears 24, Panthers 17Close · 64
- Pete PriscoBears 29, Panthers 21Close · 67
- John BreechBears 24, Panthers 21Close · 55
Bears at Panthers: how they came in
The Bears went 11-6 last season and the Panthers went 8-9 last season. On win totals, 19 pundits put the Bears at 9.7 wins on average, and 12 pundits put the Panthers at 7.4 wins on average.
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 8th, defense 15th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 11-6
- Win-total calls
- 19 pundits · average 9.7 · 3 to 12 wins
- Record coming in
- 0-0
- Unit ranks
- offense 13th, defense 28th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 8-9
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 7.4 · 2 to 17 wins
Bears and Panthers players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Bears
- Caleb WilliamsStarting QB · QB
1,546 passing yards · 8 TD, 5 INT · 68.7% completions · 145 rushing yards · 6 games · 22nd in the NFL in passing yards
“he's gonna be back soon. He didn't practice today. It's unlikely that he plays Monday night.” the article →
“But Williams is expected back for the Bears' Week 6 game against the Falcons, who have been playing well after an 0-2 start.” the article →
- D'Andre SwiftRB1 · RB
576 rushing yards on 155 carries · 10 TD · 24 catches for 162 · 9 games · 14th in the NFL in rushing yards
D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart
“Swift is still the lead back. Like, unquestionable.” the article →
D'Andre Swift to outplay his draft cost (the RB2/dead-zone range)
“If looking at veteran backs currently going in the RB2/dead-zone range, Breece Hall and D'Andre Swift are the guys with a viable pass-catching resume to this point.” the article →
- Luther Burden IIIWR1 · WR
49 catches for 644 yards · 4 TD · 9 games · 13th in the NFL in receiving yards
Luther Burden III to record 1,057 receiving yards
“projecting he will catch 73 passes for 1,057 yards and six touchdowns in 2026” the article →
Luther Burden III to be 1st on the depth chart
“there's a legit chance that Luther Burton becomes the number one early next season” the article →
- Colston LovelandTE1 · TE
37 catches for 363 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 48th in the NFL in receiving yards
Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost (the consensus TE3 for 2026 fantasy drafts)
“Here are four tight ends Pat Fitzmaurice loves to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. ... Loveland is the consensus TE3 for 2026 fantasy drafts behind only Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.” the article →
Colston Loveland to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“Loveland could easily pick up right where he left off this season and compete with Brock Bowers and Trey McBride for the TE1 crown.” the article →
- Jeffery SimmonsSack leader · DT
6 sacks · 26 solo tackles · 9 games · 11th in the NFL in sacks
Jeffery Simmons to make All-Pro
“Those might be the two all pro tackles this year.” the article →
Jeffery Simmons to make All-Pro
“who's coming off an all-pro season in 25, who, if he stays healthy, is a lock to be an all-pro again” the article →
- Dillon ThienemanTackle leader · S
1.5 sacks · 30 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games · 48th in the NFL in solo tackles
Panthers
- Bryce YoungStarting QB · QB
2,197 passing yards · 16 TD, 6 INT · 60.4% completions · 8 games · 8th in the NFL in passing yards
Bryce Young: a roster call with no direction stated
“I don't expect a Bryce Young extension. I believe that he'll play in year four.” the article →
Bryce Young to finish top 8 at his position, by an unstated measure
“And he is a top eight quarterback in this league, and he's not eighth.” the article →
- Chuba HubbardRB1 · RB
619 rushing yards on 134 carries · 7 TD · 26 catches for 167 · 8 games · 10th in the NFL in rushing yards
Chuba Hubbard to be 1st on the depth chart
“The projected starter is Chuba Hubbard” the article →
Chuba Hubbard to be 1st on the depth chart
“he is probably again the clear lead for the Panthers this week” the article →
- Tetairoa McMillanWR1 · WR
46 catches for 625 yards · 3 TD · 8 games · 14th in the NFL in receiving yards
Tetairoa McMillan to outplay his draft cost (Round 3)
“His favorite Round 3 targets include ... Tetairoa McMillan” the article →
Tetairoa McMillan to fall short of his draft cost (a top 20 wide receiver price tag)
“And I cannot pay this price tag for Tedderow and McMillan where he is going... So Ted Romig Millen, a top 20 wide receiver price tag. No, thank you” the article →
- Darren WallerTE1 · TE
23 catches for 299 yards · 4 TD · 8 games · 67th in the NFL in receiving yards
Darren Waller to be cut
“Darren Waller , TE, Panthers” the article →
- Princely UmanmielenSack leader · LB
3 sacks · 12 solo tackles · 8 games · 51st in the NFL in sacks
- Devin LloydTackle leader · LB
2 sacks · 31 solo tackles · 2 interceptions · 7 games · 45th in the NFL in solo tackles
Devin Lloyd to win Defensive Player of the Year
“He should be considered the early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.” the article →
Every call on Bears at Panthers
1–23 of 23
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Chicago wins and covers on the road fairly easily.
Chicago Bears 34 — Panthers 30
Gene Chamberlain's pick: Bears 34, Panthers 30
Carolina Panthers to beat Chicago Bears
I like Carolina here. I like Carolina to probably win this one outright
Carolina Panthers to beat Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (+3) ... If those issues rear their head, that's how Carolina pulls off the upset.
Chicago Bears 24 — Carolina 17
I've got the Chicago Bears winning 24-17.
Chicago Bears 24 — Panthers 17
Bears 24, Panthers 17.
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Gilberto Manzano: Bears
Carolina Panthers to beat Bears
Bears at Panthers — John Pluym: Panthers
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Matt Verderame: Bears
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Mike Kadlick: Bears
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Albert Breer: Bears
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Mitch Goldich: Bears
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Eva Geitheim: Bears
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Bears at Panthers — Conor Orr: Bears
Chicago Bears 29 — Panthers 21
Pick: Bears 29, Panthers 21
Chicago Bears 24 — Panthers 21
Bears 24-21 over Panthers
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
On paper, the Bears do have every advantage... Their strengths also align with the Panthers' strengths, but they still get the nod.
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
What happens when they visit the Carolina Panthers to start the season... I think the Panthers will be good, but that's a win.
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
So under three, I'm going to go with the Bears here reluctantly... I'll go Bears favored by two and a half.
- Hit · 100The Rich Eisen Show (podcast)Game Outcome Picks2026 season
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Week one, at home against the Bears. ... I don't like having to go against Ben Johnson second year with the bear Bears to open the season, so I got us for the loss there.
a naive guess scored 0+200 skillsaid Aug 28, 2026 Ozzy Trapilo to be 1st on the depth chart
Jones has seemed like the favorite at the position for months now, but Trapilo, who was activated off the PUP list earlier this week, is likely to get the nod when he's ready to go, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to play by Week 1.
Chicago Bears to beat Panthers
Panthers (vs. Bears). The Panthers will be missing both of their starting tackles ... it's hard to win games in the NFL when you're missing both of your starting tackles.
Ozzy Trapilo to be 1st on the depth chart
He may not be ready to go for Week 1, but there's no doubt now that he will be able to start for the Bears early in the 2026 season. ... But with Trapilo's return now imminent, the Bears' left tackle competition is at an end