The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers 16-13!
A fairly defensive game, the Chicago Bears offense faltered at times, but the defense kept the game in reach for a close finish. Playing against the porous Carolina Panthers, the whole team looked solid with yet another game missing starting quarterback Justin Fields. However Tyson Bagent filled in again nicely, completing passes to seven different receivers.
The Bears were kept out of the endzone for the first half, but got in range for kicker Cairo Santos to nail three field goals. The defense also kept the Panthers out of the endzone, but the special teams actually allowed a punt return touchdown, going into halftime with the Bears trailing 9-10. Bagent completed plenty of short passes, but all drives fell short of a touchdown.
However, the second half would have even less scoring, as a third quarter touchdown rush by running back D’Onta Foreman would prove to be the Bears only score of the half. The defense would stand up strong though, allowing only a Panthers field goal for their only score of the half. The whole defense looked like they were moving around the field with purpose and were set up great, forcing six total punts in the game.
Quarterback Tyson Bagent finished with 20/33 completions for 162 passing yards, a mediocre performance. However, D’Onta Foreman continued his strong play, finishing with 21 rushes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Ripping off consistently decent runs, Foreman has been a big part of the Bears offense recently. As mentioned previously, Bagent completed the ball to seven different receivers: WR DJ Moore, TE Cole Kmet, WR Tyler Scott, WR Darnell Mooney, RB Roschon Johnson, RB D’Onta Foreman, and WR Equanimeous St. Brown. A well spread-out attack, the offense is still lacking the deep ball and big plays.
The defense was absolutely huge, as the Panthers only touchdown came from a punt return touchdown. Smothering the Panthers’ dull offense, the Bears were constantly breaking down the pocket and pressuring the quarterback. They also bottled up the run game extremely well, allowing only 43 total rushing yards on 16 attempts (a poor 2.7 yards per carry).
The Bears also limited opposing rookie quarterback Bryce Young to only 4.9 yards per attempt and 185 total passing yards, a below average passing attack. New addition defensive end Montez Sweat was constantly breathing down Young’s neck, finishing with three quarterback hits. Cornerback Kyler Gordon also had himself a good game, ending with two tackles for loss and a pass deflection. Finally, defensive tackle Justin Jones shined with an additional three quarterback hits, even completing one for a sack.
