2026 Week 1 · Final
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers, final 59–37
Pregame first read
CHI passing attack has the stronger league profile.
CHI passing attack #3/32 · CAR pass defense #20/32 · 202 offense / 162 defense EPA plays.
Principal uncertainty · The model’s 80% range includes either team winning.
- Model spread
- CHI -3.5
- Model total
- 45.5
- 80% range (CAR margin)
- -18.3 to +15.8
League profiles describe different prior opponents. They do not measure this game’s head-to-head outcome. The model is a historical scoring estimate, not a betting line, and it does not know injuries or availability.
Recorded leaders
- PassingBryce YoungCAR361 pass yds
- RushingD'Andre SwiftCHI124 rush yds
- ReceivingJalen CokerCAR138 rec yds
Unit matchups
Rank among qualified teams by EPA per play, from each team's last five games before kickoff.
- CAR passing attack#20/32CHI pass defense#28/32
- CAR run game#23/32CHI run defense#23/32
- CHI passing attack#3/32CAR pass defense#20/32
- CHI run game#15/32CAR run defense#21/32
Players to watch
Per-game averages from 2026 games before kickoff, minimum two games. Availability is not verified.
CHIChicago Bears
Not enough recorded games yet.
CARCarolina Panthers
Not enough recorded games yet.