Bears Outrun Panthers 59-37 in Highest-Scoring Opener Ever
The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers 59-37 on Sunday, 13 September 2026, in the highest-scoring season opener in NFL history. The teams combined for 96 points, passing the previous opener record of 88 set in Tampa Bay's 48-40 win over New Orleans in 2018 The Guardian.
Caleb Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 65 yards and two more scores. D'Andre Swift carried 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns, including a 1-yard plunge that put Chicago ahead 13-7 NFL. Kyle Monangai added 100 rushing yards, highlighted by a 61-yard touchdown run.
Chicago never slowed down. The Bears broke their franchise record for points in an opener, topping the 45 they scored against Green Bay in 1948 at Wrigley Field. The 59 points were also the most allowed in Panthers history.
The game kicked off at 1 p.m. ET and aired nationally on FOX Yahoo Sports.
Baltimore followed a similar script in a 41-23 win over Indianapolis. Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score. Derrick Henry ran for three touchdowns to reach 125 in his career, moving past Marcus Allen for third on the NFL career rushing list.
Buffalo held off Houston 36-31. Josh Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more, including a 34-yard strike to Joshua Palmer with 1:36 left. Greg Rousseau closed it with his second strip sack, dropping C.J. Stroud at the Buffalo 28 in the final seconds.
Detroit needed extra time to beat New Orleans 31-30 in overtime. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for three touchdowns. Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown, giving the Lions just enough.
Cincinnati beat Tampa Bay 33-27 behind Joe Burrow, who finished 25-of-35 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jacksonville rolled past Cleveland 34-10 as Trevor Lawrence threw for 245 yards and four touchdowns.
What makes this stand out for fans is the sheer efficiency. Openers are often sloppy, with new plays and new faces still finding timing. Chicago, Baltimore and Buffalo looked in midseason form from the first quarter.
