Our Bears vs Panthers prediction backs Chicago, in a 6pm BST kickoff that is among the friendliest windows of the 2026 NFL season opening weekend for British viewers. Squawka Signal’s live read on this game, including where the value sits, is in the block just below.
Chicago won 11 of 17 last season while Carolina took a division at 8-9 with a negative differential. The Panthers scored 311 points, fewest of any side in this fixture; Chicago’s secondary intercepted 23 passes.
Bears vs Panthers: our editor’s props
Two editorial calls to sit alongside the live Signal numbers above.
AT 
Our props
An editorial call, not a Signal model output. 18+ | BeGambleAware.org
Bears vs Panthers: 2025 season form
Chicago finished 11-6 at plus 26. Carolina won the NFC South at 8-9, however, at minus 69.
| 2025 regular season | Bears | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 11-6 | 8-9 |
| Points for | 441 | 311 |
| Points against | 415 | 380 |
| Point differential | +26 | -69 |
| Sacks recorded | 35 | 30 |
| Sacks allowed | 24 | 35 |
| Interceptions made | 23 | 15 |
| Third-down offence | 42.7% | 36.1% |
| Red-zone offence | 58.2% | 53.3% |
| Red zone allowed | 56.1% | 55.2% |
| Opponent passer rating | 91.4 | 88.2 |
Two rows separate them. Chicago made 23 interceptions and Carolina’s 311 points were the fewest here. Consequently the turnover battle decides it.
Bears vs Panthers injury report and team news
This section updates as soon as the Out, Doubtful and Questionable tags land. Notably, for now, both sides expect their first-choice quarterbacks.
Caleb Williams starts for Chicago. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III lead the receivers, meanwhile, with D’Andre Swift in the backfield.
Bryce Young starts for Carolina, and Tetairoa McMillan is the primary target after 1,014 receiving yards. Chuba Hubbard leads a rebuilt run game, moreover.
The matchup that settles it: Chicago’s ball-hawking secondary against Bryce Young
Chicago intercepted 23 passes in 2025, the profile of a defence that gambles and gets rewarded.
The Panthers are the natural victim. Young threw 12 interceptions, the Panthers converted 36.1% of third downs, and 311 points followed. Their defence conceded 4.38 yards a carry, however, which is Swift’s opening.
Players to watch
- Caleb Williams (CHI, QB): 3,942 passing yards, notably behind a line that allowed 24 sacks.
- D’Andre Swift (CHI, RB): 1,087 rushing yards against a defence conceding 4.38 a carry.
- Tetairoa McMillan (CAR, WR): 1,014 receiving yards, indeed Carolina’s clearest route to points.
- Bryce Young (CAR, QB): 3,011 passing yards, though with 12 interceptions.
How to watch Bears vs Panthers
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, September 13, which is 6pm BST in the UK. That makes it one of the friendliest windows of the week for British viewers, indeed, landing in the early evening rather than the small hours. Sky Sports has the coverage, and NFL Game Pass on DAZN carries every game. Squawka may earn a commission if you subscribe through that link.
| Detail | Bears vs Panthers |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 6:00pm BST / 1:00 PM ET, Sunday 13 Sep |
| Venue | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte |
| TV | Sky Sports |
| Live stream | NFL Game Pass (DAZN) |
| Week | Week 1, 2026 NFL season |
Bears vs Panthers prediction and score projection
Our Bears vs Panthers prediction is a Chicago win. Twenty-three interceptions against a quarterback who threw 12 is hard for Carolina to survive.
The Panthers do hold home field and a division title. Nevertheless they scored 311 points across seventeen games. So we will take the Bears, 24-17. Which side carries the value, though, is a separate question from who wins, and the live read on that sits in the Signal block.
Every fixture in the round is covered across our NFL UK hub, and the 32 club pages sit on the NFL teams hub. Kickoff times are confirmed on NFL.com.
Bears vs Panthers FAQ
Chicago. The Bears finished 11-6 with a positive differential while Carolina won the NFC South at 8-9 with minus 69. Ultimately the live win probability sits in the Signal block on this page.
Notably 6pm BST on Sunday 13 September, which is 1:00 PM ET.
Sky Sports has the coverage and NFL Game Pass on DAZN carries every game. Moreover kickoff is Notably 6pm BST on Sunday 13 September, which is 1:00 PM ET.
Bryce Young, who threw for 3,011 yards in 2025. Meanwhile Caleb Williams starts for Chicago.
Bears 24-17. Chicago’s 23 interceptions against a Carolina offence that managed 311 points is the clearest edge.
18+ | Please gamble responsibly | BeGambleAware.org | Signal probabilities approximate at time of writing and subject to change