Bears 59, Panthers 37: drive chart, EPA and box score

Week 1 · Sun, Sep 13 · Bank of America StadiumFinal

Final

	1	2	3	4	T
CHI	14	17	14	14	59
CAR	7	17	7	6	37

Home · 3-5CarolinaPanthers37

At a glanceUpdated Nov 10, 2026, 9:41 PM ET

The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers 59-37 on Sun, Sep 13 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC (Week 1, 2026 season). Records after the game: Bears 7-2, Panthers 3-5. C.Williams (CHI) led all players with +20.4 EPA on 38 dropbacks.

Who won Bears vs Panthers?

The Chicago Bears won 59-37. By quarter: CHI 14-17-14-14, CAR 7-17-7-6.

Who was the best player in Bears vs Panthers?

By expected points added: C.Williams (CHI, +20.4 EPA on 38 dropbacks), J.Coker (CAR, +12.5 EPA on 9 targets) and B.Young (CAR, +12.1 EPA on 41 dropbacks).

What was the turning point of Bears vs Panthers?

The biggest swing in win probability (12 points toward the Bears) came in Q2 at 7:07: T.Taylor punts 48 yards to CAR 22, Center-B.Gardner. Ji.Horn MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CHI-K.Davis at CAR 28.

Cite this page

Pigskin Nightly, “Bears 59, Panthers 37: Week 1 recap”, https://pigskinnightly.com/games/2026-09-13-chi-at-car (updated 2026-11-11).

How we calculate Plain-text version Report an error

The Verdict

Week 1 issue →

Week 1EarnedGame file →

Bears54% success · +0.42 EPA/play

5937

Panthers48% success · +0.20 EPA/play

CHI 99% deserveddeserved 1% CAR

Bears earned it: the snaps said Bears by 12.4, a deserved win probability of 99%.

Deserved marginCHI by 12.4

Real marginCHI by 22

Luck pts CHI+0.3

Luck pts CAR−0.7

The swingQ2 7:07 · CHI · +20 pts of win probability. 19-T.Taylor punts 48 yards to CAR 22, Center-45-B.Gardner. 15-Ji.Horn MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CHI-81-K.Davis at CAR 28.

Flags that moved this game

1Offensive HoldingCAR → helped CHI · Wk 1 Q2 4:11 · 25-J.Brooks left end pushed ob at CAR 46 for 12 yards (29-T.Stevenson). PENALTY on CAR-50-R.Hunt, Offensive Holding, 10 yards,…+5.1 WP
2Roughing the PasserCHI → helped CAR · Wk 1 Q1 12:54 · (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker ran ob at CHI 2 for 26 yards. PENALTY on CHI-55-D.Odeyingbo, Roughing the…+5.0 WP

Deserved win probability from the snaps, fumble bounces evened out. How we judge

From the Lab

This game, re-drawn

All Lab tools →

Game DNA154 plays, one strand1 lead change · 15 explosive plays · downloadable poster →

Officiating crewBrad Allen23 accepted flags in this game · 15 a game this season (about league average)Market vs SnapsLine: CHI by 3 · Snaps: CHI by 12.4Bears covered; the snaps agree

59@37

Week 1

If the Panthers had converted that fourth-and-3

Panthers after the play17%what really happened

Q3 0:55 9-B.Young pass incomplete deep left to 4-T.McMillan.

Every game's sliding door →

Home win probability, play by play

The river

100%

Hover, tap or drag along the river to read any play. Arrow keys work too. Click to jump to its drive.

CAR ▲CHI ▼

Q1Q2Q3Q4

The five biggest swings

+12%Q2 7:07 · for CHIT.Taylor punts 48 yards to CAR 22, Center-B.Gardner. Ji.Horn MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by CHI-K.Davis at CAR 28.
+12%Q2 0:22 · for CHI(Shotgun) C.Williams scrambles left end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.
+10%Q2 3:41 · for CAR(Shotgun) B.Young pass deep right to J.Brooks to CHI 26 for 48 yards (J.Johnson).
+9%Q3 0:40 · for CHIK.Monangai up the middle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. ** Injury Update: CAR-B.Brown has returned to the game. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.
+9%Q1 3:01 · for CHI(Shotgun) C.Williams pass deep right to R.Odunze pushed ob at CAR 6 for 47 yards (W.Lee). CAR-B.Brown was injured during the play.

Every drive, on the field

CAR attacks →← CHI attacks

Q1 15:00FUM3p · 10y · 1:04
Q1 13:56TD6p · 42y · 2:23
Q1 11:33TD9p · 73y · 5:41
Q1 5:52PUNT3p · -3y · 1:40
Q1 4:12TD6p · 67y · 2:13
Q1 1:59PUNT3p · 6y · 2:11
Q2 14:48TD2p · 41y · 0:51
Q2 13:57TD3p · 73y · 1:17
Q2 12:40DOWNS4p · 9y · 2:13
Q2 10:27TD3p · 21y · 1:45
Q2 8:42PUNT3p · 5y · 1:46
Q2 6:56FG4p · 6y · 1:36
Q2 5:20FG7p · 48y · 2:45
Q2 2:35TD6p · 80y · 2:13
Q2 0:22INT2p · 11y · 0:17
Q2 0:05HALF1p · 0y · 0:05
Q3 15:00PUNT3p · 5y · 2:01
Q3 12:59PUNT3p · 1y · 1:31
Q3 11:28TD7p · 58y · 2:26
Q3 9:02TD13p · 65y · 5:57
Q3 3:05DOWNS6p · 21y · 2:15
Q3 0:50TD1p · 61y · 0:10
Q3 0:40FUM3p · 32y · 0:50
Q4 14:50TD12p · 61y · 8:23
Q4 6:27TD10p · 76y · 2:27
Q4 4:00TD4p · 49y · 0:20
Q4 3:40END7p · 52y · 3:40

Bears13 drives9scoring drives (8 TD)69%drives ending in pointsOWN 35avg starting field position2three-and-outs2turnovers incl. downs

Panthers12 drives6scoring drives (5 TD)50%drives ending in pointsOWN 37avg starting field position3three-and-outs3turnovers incl. downs

Scoring summary

Q1
11:33Touchdown(Shotgun) B.Young pass short right to C.Hubbard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-S.Martin.0–7
Q1
5:52Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Williams scrambles left end for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.7–7
Q1
1:59Touchdown(No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Swift up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.14–7
Q2
13:57TouchdownC.Williams pass deep left to C.Kmet for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor. CAR-D.Brown was injured during the play.21–7
Q2
12:40TouchdownB.Young pass deep left to J.Coker for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-S.Martin.21–14
Q2
8:42TouchdownB.Young scrambles right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-S.Martin.21–21
Q2
5:20Field goalC.Santos 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.24–21
Q2
2:35Field goalR.Fitzgerald 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-S.Martin.24–24
Q2
0:22Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Williams scrambles left end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.31–24
Q3
9:02TouchdownC.Hubbard left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. ** Injury Update: CAR-D.Lewis has returned to the game. R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Jansen, Holder-S.Martin.31–31
Q3
3:05Touchdown(No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Swift up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor. ** Injury Update: CHI-B.Jones has returned to the game.38–31
Q3
0:40TouchdownK.Monangai up the middle for 61 yards, TOUCHDOWN. ** Injury Update: CAR-B.Brown has returned to the game. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.45–31
Q4
6:27TouchdownC.Williams pass short right to J.Walker for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.52–31
Q4
4:00Touchdown(No Huddle, Shotgun) B.Young pass short left to J.Coker for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. R.Fitzgerald extra point is Blocked (D.Odeyingbo), Center-J.Jansen, Holder-S.Martin.52–37
Q4
3:40TouchdownD.Swift right guard for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Gardner, Holder-T.Taylor.59–37

Team stats

CHIvsCAR

552Total yards478

261Passing yards353

291Rushing yards125

7.9Yards per play7.7

26First downs24

10-14 · 71%Third down4-9 · 44%

0-1Fourth down0-1

4-4Red zone TDs4-4

21/29Comp / att23/38

7.5Yards per carry5.7

1Turnovers3

2 (−8 yds)Sacks allowed2 (−8 yds)

12 for 57Penalties11 for 84

34:03Possession25:57

Expected points added · nflverse model

The game in EPA

EPA per play+0.409+0.182

Dropback EPA+0.538+0.312

Rush EPA+0.257-0.113

Success rate54%48%

Explosive plays98

Plays7062

Who moved the needle

C.WilliamsDropbacks: 38+20.4

J.CokerTargets: 9+12.5

B.YoungDropbacks: 41+12.1

D.SwiftCarries: 18+9.2

K.RaymondTargets: 9+6.5

C.HubbardTargets: 3+4.3

Cost their side the most

C.WilliamsCarries: 3-3.1

T.McMillanTargets: 8-2.5

A.DillonCarries: 5-2.0

Box score

Chicago Bears

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Caleb WilliamsQB	21/29	269	9.3	2	0	2-8	92.4	124.1

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
D'Andre SwiftRB	18	124	6.9	3	32
Kyle MonangaiRB	10	100	10.0	1	61
Caleb WilliamsQB	10	65	6.5	2	29
Luther Burden IIIWR	1	2	2.0	0	2

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Kalif RaymondWR	8	9	84	10.5	0	28
Luther Burden IIIWR	5	5	63	12.6	0	24
Rome OdunzeWR	2	3	52	26.0	0	47
Cole KmetTE	2	3	35	17.5	1	22
Kyle MonangaiRB	2	2	24	12.0	0	19
D'Andre SwiftRB	1	1	10	10.0	0	10
Jahdae WalkerWR	1	1	1	1.0	1	1
Colston LovelandTE	0	2	0	0.0	0	0

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Dillon ThienemanS	10	8	0	0	1	1
Tyrique Stevenson Sr.CB	9	6	0	0	0	0
Cam LewisCB	6	5	0	0	0	0
Devin BushLB	6	2	0	0	0	1
Roschon JohnsonRB	4	0	0	0	0	0
James LynchDT	3	2	0	0	0	0
Malik Muhammad IICB	3	2	0	0	2	0
Jaylon JohnsonCB	3	1	0	0	0	0
Grady JarrettDE	3	0	0	0	0	1
Kentavius StreetDT	2	1	1	1	0	1

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Cairo SantosPK	1/1	100.0	40	8/8	11

Carolina Panthers

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Bryce YoungQB	23/37	361	9.8	3	1	2-8	72.6	110.3
Kenny PickettQB	0/1	0	0.0	0	0	0-0	100.0	39.6

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Chuba HubbardRB	10	49	4.9	1	11
AJ DillonRB	5	28	5.6	0	11
Kenny PickettQB	1	24	24.0	0	24
Jonathon BrooksRB	4	14	3.5	0	6
Bryce YoungQB	2	10	5.0	1	7

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Jalen CokerWR	8	9	138	17.3	2	51
Tetairoa McMillanWR	5	8	75	15.0	0	21
Jonathon BrooksRB	1	2	48	48.0	0	48
Chuba HubbardRB	3	3	38	12.7	1	29
Darren WallerTE	2	2	28	14.0	0	17
Tommy TrembleTE	3	5	25	8.3	0	11
Mitchell EvansTE	1	2	9	9.0	0	9
Xavier LegetteWR	0	2	0	0.0	0	0
Jimmy Horn Jr.WR	0	1	0	0.0	0	0

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Devin LloydLB	13	9	0	0	0	0
Nick ScottS	7	5	0	0	0	0
Lee HunterDT	6	4	0	0	0	0
Bobby OkerekeLB	6	3	0	1	0	0
Will Lee IIICB	5	5	0	0	1	0
Derrick BrownDT	3	3	0	0	0	1
Jaelan PhillipsLB	3	2	1	1	0	1
Princely UmanmielenLB	3	2	1	1	0	1
Jeremiah MoonLB	3	2	0	0	0	0
Jaycee HornCB	3	2	0	0	0	0

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Ryan FitzgeraldPK	1/1	100.0	44	4/5	7

Starters, confirmed

ConfirmedEvery game →

Confirmed from the official snap counts: at every position group the starters are the snap leaders. Expected lineup = today's depth chart, adjusted for the injury report.

Expected, did not start

Theo BenedetLT→ Braxton Jones

Jeffery SimmonsRDT→ Neville Gallimore

James LynchRDE→ Dayo Odeyingbo

D'Marco JacksonSLB→ Austin Booker

Kyler GordonNB→ Malik Muhammad II

John Metchie IIIWR→ Xavier Legette

Tershawn WhartonRDE→ Bobby Brown III

Patrick Jones IIWLB→ Trevis Gipson

Malcolm DeWalt IVLCB→ Jaycee Horn

Chau Smith-WadeNB→ Mike Jackson

AwayBears2 questionable · 5 changes