Bears vs. Panthers: Inside the Snap Counts, Stats, and Everybody Blocks

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 13: D'Andre Swift #4 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after his rushing touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of a game at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Chicago Bears' 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers was a perfect way to kick off the season because, while so much went right, there's still plenty that didn't for head coach Ben Johnson to focus on. Most notably, the defense that allowed Carolina to get 478 yards of offense and 24 first downs.

In his postgame press conference, Johnson was asked how they can solve some of their defensive issues, and he used that as a way to discuss them getting better overall.

We talked about with the team, find a way to get to the plane with a win. And we did that," Johnson said in his postgame press conference. We accomplished that. Now we're in a race to improve - in all three phases and collectively as a team. That's what we gotta do. So we'll take a look at the tape. What can we get better at? You know, it only gets harder from here on out. And yet, I told those guys, you'd like to think in a long season like this, we're playing our worst football early on, and we continue to get better and better and better. That's really the message right there. All three phases, we all got to get better each and every week."

Johnson has set a high bar for his team in 2026, and his offense's performance will obviously make him happy. They racked up 552 yards of offense, had 26 first downs, and were 71.4% (10-14) on third-down tries.

But the defense's woes and their 12 penalties (for 57 yards) matched the 12 times his team was penalized in Week 1 last season.

One aspect of the game that everyone will be pleased with is the 291 yards rushing, Chicago's most in a game since getting 302 on September 9, 1984.

Johnson acknowledged how his entire offense had a hand in it.

The story of the game ended up being the rushing and, so, the offensive line - shout out to them," he said. But it was collective with the tight ends, the receivers were blocking their tails off as well. And Swifty (D'Andre Swift) and (Kyle) Monangai both were able to do a great job there. Caleb added quite a bit with his feet also."

Ben gave the offensive line a game ball in his locker room speech, and their o-line spokesman, right guard Jonah Jackson, made sure to spread the love, saying, It took all of us, tight ends, wideouts, backs, QB, and a shout out to the playcaller."

The 59-37 win was good, but the Bears are a long way from being the best.

Let's look at the Bears' playing time breakdowns and a few individual stats from the game.

OFFENSE

Caleb Williams is just the 4th quarterback in NFL history with at least 250 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, 2 touchdown passes, 2 rushing touchdowns, and a passer rating over 120 in the same game. He also hit 70% completion for the sixth time in his NFL career, but for the first time under Ben Johnson. His 10 rushes, 65 rushing yards, and 2 rushing TDs are all career highs.

Kalif Raymond's 8 receptions are a career high, as was Kyle Monangai's 61-yard run.

Jahdae Walker only had one catch for a touchdown, but he left an impact on this game in other ways, including the final block on Monangai's touchdown.

I saw Jahdae chasing down and making sure that wasn't just a big play, but a touchdown," Kalif Raymond said via the team site. I mean, it's a huge play for Kyle, but Jahdae's out there taking guys to make sure it happens. I mean, it goes from a big play, a first down to a touchdown. That's a testament to the guys blocking. I think Lu (Luther Burden III) had a big block too ... so just all the stuff working together, and that's what you want, especially for the backs we have."

Jahdae Walker combined video. Block on special teams, block on offense, and touchdown catch.pic.twitter.com/7S24DcVoIQ

- (@_MarcusD3_) September 13, 2026

DEFENSE

Tyrique Stevenson, who had a rough game in coverage, led the Bears with 9 tackles on defense.

Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman had 8 tackles on defense, a QB hit, and a pass defended, plus 2 more tackles on special teams.

Rookie Malik Muhammad II, who started at nickel but kicked outside to corner when Stevenson was dinged up, had 3 tackles, 2 pases defende, and an interception.

Cam Lewis, who got the start at safety but also got some reps at nickel, had 6 tackles.

Devin Bush has 6 tackles, a fumble recovery, and a QB hit.

Jaylon Johnson had 3 tackles and a forced fumble.

Montez Sweat had 2 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack.

Kentavius Street also had 2 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack.

SPECIAL TEAMS**The above image has players who only played in the third phase.

Cairo Santos missed the landing zone a couple of times, drawing penalties, but he made all 8 extra points and a 40-yard field goal.

Tory Taylor (2 punts for 102 yards) hit a banana ball that the Panthers muffed, leading to a Kaden Davis recovery.

Raymond had a 23-yard punt return.

Josh Blackwell had 4 kickoff returns and a 21.3 average.

Roschon Johnson had 4 special teams tackles.

Long snapper Beau Gardner had a tackle.

Walker had a couple of special teams tackles.

Dayo Odeyingbo blocked an extra point.

To check out the complete Bears vs. Panthers box score, I find ESPN's site is easy to navigate.

All statistics and snap counts, as well as the accompanying pictures, are taken directly from the NFL's Game Statistic and Information System.