Some NFL games feel like a chess match. This one felt more like a statement game. If you watched the Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears matchup, you probably grabbed your phone mid-game to check the player stats and yeah, I don’t blame you. This game had momentum swings, breakout performances, and one team clearly saying, “Yep, we’re figuring this out.”
I watched this one closely, and trust me, the player stats tell a much bigger story than the final score. Let’s walk through it together like two football nerds breaking down a Sunday game, minus the yelling at the TV (mostly).
Quick Game Snapshot: What Actually Happened
Before we get deep into numbers, let’s set the scene. The Bears didn’t just win this game they controlled it from the second quarter onward. Carolina flashed early promise, but Chicago slammed the door shut fast.
Here’s the quick-hit overview:
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Final Score: Chicago Bears 36, Carolina Panthers 10
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Location: Soldier Field
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Game Flow: Competitive early, one-sided fast
Ever notice how some games feel over by halftime even when the score says otherwise? This was one of those.
Quarterback Comparison: Where the Game Tilted
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)
Let’s start with the obvious. Caleb Williams looked comfortable, and that matters more than raw stats for a young QB. He didn’t force throws, he trusted his reads, and he punished Carolina when they made mistakes.
Caleb Williams’ stats:
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20 completions on 29 attempts
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304 passing yards
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2 passing touchdowns
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0 interceptions
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Passer rating north of 120
I loved how calm he looked in the pocket. He didn’t play hero ball, and IMO, that’s why the Bears’ offense finally clicked. Ever notice how quarterbacks look different when the game slows down for them?
Andy Dalton & Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers)
Carolina’s quarterback situation felt… messy. Andy Dalton started, Bryce Young rotated in later, and neither found rhythm.
Andy Dalton:
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18 completions
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136 yards
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1 interception
Bryce Young:
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Limited snaps
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Some flashes, but no sustained drives
I’ve seen Dalton manage games better than this. Carolina’s protection issues and dropped momentum didn’t help, but the stat line still stings.
Running Game Breakdown: One Bright Spot for Carolina
Chuba Hubbard (Panthers)
If you’re a Panthers fan, Chuba Hubbard gave you something to cheer for. He ran hard, hit gaps decisively, and ripped off the game’s first big play.
Chuba Hubbard stats:
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13 carries
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97 rushing yards
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1 touchdown
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38-yard TD run
That early touchdown felt like a warning shot. Sadly, Carolina couldn’t build on it. Ever seen a run game show up while the rest of the offense ghosts?
Chicago’s Two-Headed Backfield
Chicago spread the workload, and I liked that approach.
D’Andre Swift:
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21 carries
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73 rushing yards
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1 rushing touchdown
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Added value as a receiver
Roschon Johnson:
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10 carries
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2 rushing touchdowns
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Short-yardage menace
Chicago didn’t need 150 rushing yards. They needed timely runs, and they nailed that assignment.
Wide Receivers: DJ Moore Steals the Show
DJ Moore (Bears)
If this article needed a cover photo, DJ Moore earns it. He torched the Panthers secondary and made tough catches look casual.
DJ Moore stats:
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5 receptions
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105 yards
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2 touchdowns
Both touchdowns came at brutal moments for Carolina. One tied the game, and the other crushed hope before halftime. I’ve watched Moore for years, and this felt like one of those “remind the league who I am” games.
Panthers Receivers: Quiet Night
Carolina’s receivers struggled to separate and finish plays. No Panther wideout cracked 60 yards, and that lack of explosiveness showed up on the scoreboard.
That’s not all on the receivers, but elite teams punish soft coverage, and Carolina didn’t.
Defensive Stats: Bears Took Control Here
Defense rarely gets the glory, but Chicago’s defense won this game quietly and efficiently.
Key Defensive Numbers (Chicago):
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3 takeaways
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0 turnovers allowed
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Consistent pressure on QBs
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Forced rushed throws and short drives
Turnovers change games. Chicago protected the ball and forced Carolina mistakes. That combo wins football games almost every time.
Panthers Defense: Worn Down Fast
Carolina’s defense started strong but faded quickly.
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Allowed 400+ total yards
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Struggled on third downs
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Missed key tackles in the red zone
Once Chicago established rhythm, Carolina couldn’t disrupt it. Ever watched a defense slowly lose confidence? Yeah… that.
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Team Stats Comparison: Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s where the gap becomes obvious.
Total Yards
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Bears: 424
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Panthers: 292
Passing Yards
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Bears: 296
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Panthers: 172
Time of Possession
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Bears: ~33 minutes
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Panthers: ~27 minutes
Turnovers
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Bears: 0
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Panthers: 3
That turnover stat alone explains most of the outcome. Protect the ball, control the clock, win the game. Simple math.
Key Moments That Shifted Momentum
Early Hope for Carolina
Hubbard’s long touchdown run shocked the stadium. For about five minutes, Panthers fans felt good.
Then reality showed up.
Second Quarter Avalanche
Chicago stacked points fast:
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DJ Moore TD
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Roschon Johnson goal-line score
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Swift rushing TD
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Another Moore touchdown
By halftime, the game felt done. Soldier Field knew it, and Carolina felt it.
Special Teams: Quiet but Efficient
Nothing flashy here, and that’s fine.
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Cairo Santos hit his kicks
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Carolina added a late field goal
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No game-changing returns
Sometimes boring special teams equal winning football 🙂
Player-by-Player Standouts
Bears MVPs
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Caleb Williams: Composed, accurate, confident
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DJ Moore: Game-breaker
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D’Andre Swift: Balanced production
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Roschon Johnson: Red-zone weapon
Panthers Bright Spots
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Chuba Hubbard: Ran with purpose
That’s a short list, and Panthers fans know it.
What This Game Means Going Forward
For Chicago, this game hinted at something dangerous: offensive identity. When Williams plays clean and Moore stays involved, this team looks legit.
For Carolina, the questions keep stacking:
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Quarterback stability
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Offensive consistency
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Defensive endurance
Ever feel like a team sits one piece away from clicking but still feels miles off?
My Honest Take (Because Stats Aren’t Everything)
I’ve watched a lot of NFL games where the final score hides the story. This wasn’t one of them. Chicago earned this win, and the player stats back that up in every category that matters.
Carolina didn’t quit, but they couldn’t adapt once momentum flipped. Chicago did, and that’s the difference between growing teams and stuck teams.
Final Thoughts: Why These Player Stats Matter
The Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears match player stats don’t just show who scored. They show who controlled the game, who protected the ball, and who executed under pressure.
If you love breaking down NFL games, this matchup offers a clean lesson:
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Efficiency beats flash
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Turnovers kill momentum
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Confidence changes everything
Next time these teams meet, I’ll remember this one and so will the players.
