# Bears vs Panthers predictions, graded

Week 1, 2026: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers

Sep 13, 2026 · final: Bears 59, Panthers 37 · 23 calls on record · updated Sep 17, 9:20 AM ET

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.

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 Illustrated](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated): Bears 9, Panthers 1
- [CBS Sports](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/cbs-sports): Bears 3, Panthers 1
- [The Rich Eisen Show (podcast)](https://missedtakes.co/outlets/the-rich-eisen-show-podcast): all 2 Bears

The other 4 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Bears 3, Panthers 1.

Page: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-1-bears-at-panthers

Picks:

- [Eric Cohen](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-cohen) took the Bears; said Sep 13, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/37c0b874-cb1b-43c8-b78e-96a7b287ae62
- [Gene Chamberlain](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gene-chamberlain) took the Bears, Bears 34–Panthers 30; said Sep 12, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 57.14 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e3f71681-dd59-4531-8ada-05079a4ee840
- [AJ Hawk](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/aj-hawk) took the Panthers; said Sep 11, 2026; on The Pat McAfee Show (podcast); scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/74f9146c-d27f-4851-b8a4-4103d043308f
- [Tyler Sullivan](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/tyler-sullivan) took the Panthers; said Sep 10, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/cd6c3269-8c90-4044-9c48-0b1fc3537699
- [Richard Sherman](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/richard-sherman) took the Bears, Bears 24–Panthers 17; said Sep 9, 2026; on The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast); scored 64.29 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3b4f1960-4810-4136-8023-c9a76a0598a3
- [Mike Florio](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-florio) took the Bears, Bears 24–Panthers 17; said Sep 9, 2026; on NBC Sports; scored 64.29 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4b20f46e-ebc0-462f-9e7a-2ab82f91a2ea
- [Eva Geitheim](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eva-geitheim) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/599df4d8-af5a-4097-b802-1d21ce7b6ce1
- [Mitch Goldich](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mitch-goldich) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/643de3da-467f-48c2-a141-4656c392ab89
- [Conor Orr](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/conor-orr) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/54ae8d21-7621-4c3d-816c-e879aed9b5c2
- [Mike Kadlick](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/mike-kadlick) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/934613ff-97e3-4894-a383-faa755bdfc35
- [Matt Verderame](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/matt-verderame) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e4f51f97-310d-4665-a47e-fdab93ff1fd1
- [Albert Breer](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/albert-breer) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/81a0a660-de14-460e-a283-c357a6a1bcda
- [John Pluym](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-pluym) took the Panthers; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 0 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/e7e5c159-21f2-4766-92de-857294ef51cf
- [Gilberto Manzano](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/gilberto-manzano) took the Bears; said Sep 9, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/f6e2bb80-47ba-4803-9002-1ab10e7ee54c
- [Pete Prisco](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/pete-prisco) took the Bears, Bears 29–Panthers 21; said Sep 9, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 66.67 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d6f9bde0-aad0-4013-967c-c197b2e9be19
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Bears, Bears 24–Panthers 21; said Sep 8, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 54.76 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b823d5ce-fc63-4d24-9f48-839f494b538a
- [Zach Roberts](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/zach-roberts) took the Bears; said Sep 7, 2026; on Sports Illustrated; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2489be28-f1ea-4a69-b6b4-36b44a4877bc
- [Adam Chudwin](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/adam-chudwin) took the Bears; said Sep 4, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b6e5e93f-2997-4140-881f-3acec911a1f1
- [Jason McIntyre](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jason-mcintyre) took the Bears; said Sep 1, 2026; on The Herd with Colin Cowherd (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/7b33b448-da81-4b34-9c3e-71da132c31b3
- The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) took the Bears; said Aug 28, 2026; on The Rich Eisen Show (podcast); scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0)
- [John Breech](https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-breech) took the Bears; said Aug 19, 2026; on CBS Sports; scored 100 out of 100 (the naive pick scored 0) — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/50eb251e-cf6b-417d-a0d6-bccba95e06fc

## 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.

Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

- Chicago Bears: 0-0
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 8th, defense 15th of 32
  - Last season: 11-6
  - Win-total calls: 19 pundits, average 9.7, 3 to 12 wins
- Carolina Panthers: 0-0
  - Unit ranks this season: offense 13th, defense 28th of 32
  - Last season: 8-9
  - Win-total calls: 13 pundits, average 7.4, 2 to 17 wins

## 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 ranked on the leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick, made since the 2026 schedule came out ("No." is that rank). Leaderboard: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/leaderboard

- [Caleb Williams](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/caleb-williams) (Starting 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
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Sep 25, 2026: he's gonna be back soon. He didn't practice today. It's unlikely that he plays Monday night. (not settled yet)
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Oct 15, 2026: But Williams is expected back for the Bears' Week 6 game against the Falcons, who have been playing well after an 0-2 start. (not settled yet)
- [D'Andre Swift](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/d-andre-swift) (RB1, RB): 576 rushing yards on 155 carries · 10 TD · 24 catches for 162 · 9 games; 14th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 7, 2026: D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 24 Rich Hribar, Aug 4, 2026: D'Andre Swift to outplay his draft cost (the RB2/dead-zone range) (not settled yet)
- [Luther Burden III](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/luther-burden-iii) (WR1, WR): 49 catches for 644 yards · 4 TD · 9 games; 13th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 23 Jordan Dajani, Aug 10, 2026: Luther Burden III to record 1,057 receiving yards (not settled yet)
  - No. 26 Bucky Brooks, Jul 12, 2026: Luther Burden III to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Colston Loveland](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/colston-loveland) (TE1, TE): 37 catches for 363 yards · 2 TD · 9 games; 48th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 28, 2026: Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost (the consensus TE3 for 2026 fantasy drafts) (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Aug 5, 2026: Colston Loveland to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points (not settled yet)
- [Jeffery Simmons](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jeffery-simmons) (Sack leader, DT): 6 sacks · 26 solo tackles · 9 games; 11th in the NFL in sacks
  - No. 39 Gregg Rosenthal, Oct 29, 2026: Jeffery Simmons to make All-Pro (not settled yet)
  - No. 48 John Middlekauff, Oct 30, 2026: Jeffery Simmons to make All-Pro (not settled yet)
- [Dillon Thieneman](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dillon-thieneman) (Tackle leader, S): 1.5 sacks · 30 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games; 48th in the NFL in solo tackles
- [Bryce Young](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bryce-young) (Starting QB, QB): 2,197 passing yards · 16 TD, 6 INT · 60.4% completions · 8 games; 8th in the NFL in passing yards
  - No. 5 Tom Pelissero, Jul 17, 2026: Bryce Young: a roster call with no direction stated (not settled yet)
  - No. 36 Chris Brockman, Oct 5, 2026: Bryce Young to finish top 8 at his position, by an unstated measure (not settled yet)
- [Chuba Hubbard](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chuba-hubbard) (RB1, RB): 619 rushing yards on 134 carries · 7 TD · 26 catches for 167 · 8 games; 10th in the NFL in rushing yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 20, 2026: Chuba Hubbard to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 17, 2026: Chuba Hubbard to be 1st on the depth chart (not settled yet)
- [Tetairoa McMillan](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tetairoa-mcmillan) (WR1, WR): 46 catches for 625 yards · 3 TD · 8 games; 14th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 8 Pat Fitzmaurice, Aug 8, 2026: Tetairoa McMillan to outplay his draft cost (Round 3) (not settled yet)
  - No. 12 Derek Brown, Sep 1, 2026: Tetairoa McMillan to fall short of his draft cost (a top 20 wide receiver price tag) (not settled yet)
- [Darren Waller](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/darren-waller) (TE1, TE): 23 catches for 299 yards · 4 TD · 8 games; 67th in the NFL in receiving yards
  - No. 18 Carter Bahns, Aug 28, 2026: Darren Waller to be cut (scored 0 out of 100)
- [Princely Umanmielen](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/princely-umanmielen) (Sack leader, LB): 3 sacks · 12 solo tackles · 8 games; 51st in the NFL in sacks
- [Devin Lloyd](https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/devin-lloyd) (Tackle leader, LB): 2 sacks · 31 solo tackles · 2 interceptions · 7 games; 45th in the NFL in solo tackles
  - No. 4 Bryan DeArdo, Sep 23, 2026: Devin Lloyd to win Defensive Player of the Year (not settled yet)

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The room is counted in pundits, each one's latest call standing. Accuracy is out of 100; the naive pick is the home team.
The week: https://missedtakes.co/nfl/games/2026-week-1
Method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology