The Chicago Bears are scheduled to play the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium with kickoff set for 1:00 PM EDT on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with betting markets listing Chicago as 2.5 to 3-point road favorites and an over/under set at 47.5 points. Both teams enter the Week 1 matchup looking to build on strong 2025 regular season campaigns that ended in the playoffs.
Bears and Panthers 2025 Season Review and Head-to-Head History
The Chicago Bears finished the 2025 regular season with an 11-6 record, claiming the NFC North title before advancing to the Divisional Round, where their playoff run ended in a 20-17 overtime loss at home to the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. In that final game, the Bears totaled 417 yards with 257 passing yards and 160 rushing yards, picking up 23 first downs and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers posted an 8-9 record in 2025 to finish top of the NFC South, eventually falling in the Wild Card Round in a 34-31 home defeat against the Los Angeles Rams where they generated 333 total yards and four touchdowns.
In recent head-to-head meetings, Chicago has held the upper hand. The Bears have won seven of their last eight games against the Panthers. The Bears won the most recent clash by a 36-10 scoreline at Soldier Field, securing victories in each of their last three head-to-head matchups against Carolina.
Preseason Performance and Roster Outlook
Both clubs wrapped up their respective preseason schedules with winning records. Carolina finished with a 3-1 record, highlighted by a 16-13 home win over the Houston Texans where the Panthers outgained their adversaries by a total of 288 to 173 yards. Offensively in the preseason, the Panthers averaged 24.3 points per game while yielding 22.3 points defensively. Carolina’s preseason slate included a 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals, a 29-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a 34-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the narrow win against Houston.
The Chicago Bears finished the preseason with a 2-1 record, highlighted by a 24-15 road win against the Tennessee Titans where they outgained the opposition 398 to 259 total yards. Across the preseason, the Bears averaged 22.3 points scored and 17.3 points allowed per game. Chicago opened their preseason with a 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, followed by a 27-9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals before closing out with the win in Tennessee.
Betting Trends and Odds Analysis
Sportsbooks have installed the Bears as favorites for the opening week matchup. While the initial line listed Chicago at -2.5, some betting platforms have moved the spread to -3 at odds of -115. The game spread is listed at -3 for Chicago (-118) and +3 for Carolina (-102), with a moneyline of -166 for the Bears and +140 for the Panthers.
Historical trends highlight stark contrasts for both teams in specific scenarios. The Bears have lost each of their last seven Sunday games played on the East Coast and failed to cover the spread in each of those contests. Conversely, the Panthers have won four of their last five Sunday games as underdogs and covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs without Derrick Brown. However, the Panthers have historically struggled in season openers, losing eight of their last nine Week 1 home games against NFC opponents, while the Bears have won seven of their last eight games against Carolina.
Pro Tip: Handicappers tracking totals should note that eight of the Bears’ last nine Sunday road games have gone over the total points line, while three of the last four Sunday games at Bank of America Stadium have gone under.
Key Player Prop Facts
Individual player statistics and prop benchmarks offer further insight into how the matchup might unfold. During his recent stretch of performances, Panthers signal-caller Bryce Young amassed 21 or more completions in three out of his prior four contests, and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan found the end zone at least once in three of Carolina’s last four regular-season games playing as home underdogs against NFC teams.
Additional player props include Chuba Hubbard’s rushing yards line set at over 50.5 yards (priced at -114), and Colston Loveland of the Bears listed at +165 for an anytime touchdown scorer prop wager.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Bears vs. Panthers game taking place?
The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, with a 1:00 PM EDT kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What is the point spread for Week 1?
The Chicago Bears are favored by 2.5 to 3 points over the Carolina Panthers, with the over/under total set at 47.5 points.
How did both teams finish the 2025 regular season?
The Chicago Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North before losing in the Divisional Round, while the Carolina Panthers finished 8-9, finishing top of the NFC South, and lost in the Wild Card Round.
What is the head-to-head record between Chicago and Carolina?
The Bears have won seven of their last eight games against the Panthers, including victories in each of their last three head-to-head meetings.
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