Your Picks on Bears vs Panthers

The matchup and market

The Chicago Bears visit the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday, Sept. 13, for their 2026 NFL season opener. Kickoff is noon Central, with FOX carrying the game.

Chicago is -166 on the moneyline and -3 (-110) against the spread. Carolina is +145 on the moneyline and +3 (-110). The over is 47 (-110), and the under is 47 (-110).

Chicago's results and injury questions

The Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North in Ben Johnson's first season as head coach. Caleb Williams passed for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2025. His sacks dropped from 68 as a rookie to 24 following investment in the interior offensive line.

Chicago also surrendered 361.8 yards per game, the fourth-highest average in the league. Three Bears players ranked among the league's top 10 in interceptions that season; all three have since moved to other teams.

Friday's report listed Rome Odunze, Tyson Bagent, Ozzy Trapilo and Xavier Woods as questionable. Odunze had limited participation throughout the week with a calf injury. Bagent missed every practice with a back injury, and Chicago said Case Keenum would back up Williams if Bagent is unavailable.

Carolina availability and the decision

Carolina ruled out outside linebacker Patrick Jones II, its only player carrying a game injury designation. Running back Jonathon Brooks was cleared following a groin issue. Brooks and defensive tackle Bobby Brown III participated fully Friday and had no game designation.

Those updates establish availability concerns, but they do not provide enough comparative evidence to select a winner, project a score or recommend either side of the spread. Chicago's 2025 record alone cannot establish value at these prices. There is also insufficient support for an over or under recommendation. The betting decision is Pass.