Chicago Bears (0-0) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-0) September 13, 2026 1:00 pm EDT The Line: Carolina Panthers +2.5; Over/Under: 47.5 (Get latest betting odds)
In this article, we will formulate a Bears vs Panthers Prediction for this NFL Week 1 game on Sunday, September 13 th . Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NFL matchup.
The Panthers finished the preseason with a 3-1 record and were placed 1st in the NFC South. They had a 1-0 home record and a 2-1 road record. They are coming off a 16-13 home victory over the Houston Texans, where they outgained their opponents 288 to 173 total yards and had 17 first downs. The Carolina Panthers had 189 passing yards, 99 rushing yards, while winning the turnover battle by 4-1. They went 6/17 on third down conversions and 1/4 in the red zone.
Offensively in the preseason, the Panthers averaged 24.3 points per game, while allowing 22.3 points per game defensively. Carolina averaged 313 total yards per game (201 passing and 112 rushing), while allowing 275.5 total yards per game (155 passing and 120.5 rushing).
The Bears finished the preseason with a 2-1 record and were placed 3rd in the NFC North. They had a 1-0 home record and a 1-1 road record. They are coming off a 24-15 road victory over the Tennessee Titans, where they outgained their opponents 398 to 259 total yards and had 19 first downs. The Chicago Bears had 291 passing yards, 107 rushing yards, while losing the turnover battle by 1-0. They went 6/15 on third down conversions and 2/3 in the red zone.
Offensively in the preseason, the Bears averaged 22.3 points per game, while allowing 17.3 points per game defensively. Chicago averaged 383.3 total yards per game (291.7 passing and 91.7 rushing), while allowing 306.3 total yards per game (220.7 passing and 85.7 rushing).
In this Bears vs Panthers Prediction, the Bears are coming as -2.5 road favorites. Both teams looked good in the preseason, as they had just one defeat each, with the Panthers having a slightly better offense, but a weaker defense, allowing 5 points per game more than the Bears. Chicago has been dominating Carolina in recent years, as they are 7-1 in their last 8 meetings, including two of their last three visits in Carolina. With the line being so small, I am willing to lay the -2.5 with the Bears on the road in this one.