A season at the speedway

The Bears opened the year in Charlotte and ran away from the Panthers 59-37. It was the most points they have ever scored in a season opener.

“Get ready for a season at the speedway.”

552 yards, a franchise record

No Bears team had ever gained more yards in a game. The offense piled up 552 of them on a Week 1 afternoon that felt like a scrimmage.

Third most points ever

Only two Bears teams have scored more than 59 in a game: the 1965 and 1980 squads, each of which put up 61.

Johnson's offense at full force

Nearly every piece of Ben Johnson's system worked, starting with Caleb Williams at quarterback and D'Andre Swift in the backfield.

“Nearly every part of coach Ben Johnson's offense was firing at full force”

The defense sputtered

Carolina scored 37 and the lapses kept coming, which is how this became the highest scoring game in Bears history. The offense covered for all of it.

Both promises kept

Johnson was hired to wake up this offense. Williams said he wanted to make history. On Sunday they both did exactly what they said they would.

Williams was as advertised

He completed 21 of 29 throws for 269 yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers, good for a 124.1 passer rating after an offseason of hype.

He ran it too

Williams added 65 rushing yards, including scrambles of nine and 29 yards that both ended in the end zone.

He hit the 70% mark

Johnson had demanded his quarterback complete 70% of his passes. Williams finished at 72.4%.

“He did it all, even meeting Johnson's demand of completing 70% of his passes at 72.4%.”

Swift cashed his extension

Days after signing for three years and $33.8 million, Swift ran 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

The run that ended it

Swift's 28-yard touchdown made it 59-37 with 3:40 left. Carolina pulled Bryce Young for the final drive.

“The Panthers finally surrendered when he ran through them for a 28-yard touchdown”

Ugly start, then a flood

In the first four minutes the Bears took three penalties, lost a fumble and fell behind 7-0. After that they scored on nine of 12 full possessions.

“there's a feeling in the locker room that they left some plays out there”