Bears 59, Panthers 37: Caleb Williams Leads the Highest-Scoring Season Opener in NFL History
Ninety-six combined points, a franchise record that stood since 1948, and a quarterback duel for the ages — Week 1 in Charlotte broke the record books.
Week 1 of an NFL season is supposed to be rusty. Nobody told the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers. On September 13, the two teams combined for 96 points in a 59-37 Chicago win — the highest-scoring season opener in league history.
Breaking the record
The total beat the previous opener record of 88 points, set when Tampa Bay beat New Orleans 48-40 in 2018, by eight. Chicago’s 59 points also set a franchise record for an opening game that had stood since 1948, and it was the most points Carolina has ever allowed since the franchise began play in 1995.
Williams does it all
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards and two more scores. Running back D’Andre Swift added 124 rushing yards and three touchdowns. On the other side, Carolina’s Bryce Young kept the Panthers in the shootout with 361 passing yards and three touchdown passes.
Why fans couldn’t stop sharing it
Highlights from the game flooded social feeds all weekend, with fantasy football players either celebrating huge Week 1 totals or mourning defensive picks. For Bears fans, who have waited a long time for an offence this explosive, it felt like a statement.
Of course, one game does not make a season. But as openers go, this one will be hard to top.
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