CHICAGO (670 The Score) — That’s more like it.
The Bears blasted the Panthers, 36-10, on Sunday at Soldier Field in a complete performance against a struggling franchise. Chicago improved to 3-2 and extended its home winning streak at Soldier Field to eight games. Here are the observations from the Bears' victory.
Brighter days are here
During a game at Soldier Field late in the 2019 regular season, Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes counted on 10 fingers after one of his three total touchdowns during a 26-3 beatdown of the Bears.
Mahomes was reminding all of Chicago that the Bears passed on him as he fell to the No. 10 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chiefs won the first of three Super Bowl championships with Mahomes in that 2019 season while the Bears finished 8-8, a mark they haven't surpassed since. Then-general manager Ryan Pace's decision to select Mitch Trubisky over Mahomes with the No. 2 overall pick in 2017 is one the Bears can never get back.
But these days, the Bears find themselves on the other side of a franchise-changing trade that could bring them potentially great fortune.
Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for first-round picks in 2023 and 2024, second-round selections in 2023 and 2025 and receiver DJ Moore.
The Bears have converted the draft capital into right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, rookie punter Tory Taylor and of course rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, was benched two games into this season.
While Wright, Stevenson and Taylor each played a role in the Bears' win against the Panthers on Sunday, the highlight was the Williams-Moore connection. Williams found Moore five times for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
That could’ve been the Panthers’ future for many years to come had they never made the fateful trade with the Bears in 2023. In an alternate world, the Panthers could have a more complete roster and be competing in a wide-open NFC South this season.
Two months before he was selected by the Bears, Williams pointed out that he'd be excited to join a team picking No. 1 overall that just so happened to be on the upswing. The 22-year-old Williams reflected on those comments Sunday, with an eye toward improvement.
“The games even that we lost, we were right there,” Williams said. “Most of them were just small details throughout the game that we were missing. I think after those losses and even after this week and the week before, these wins, us understanding, the leaders, that we got a lot of room to get better. We got a lot of things that we need to fix.
“The personality of the team is going to continue to grow, but we’re excited. We know that we got to keep growing and keep progressing, but definitely excited about being 3-2.”
The Panthers have been depleted by injuries at the top of their depth chart, meaning the bottom of their roster is getting exposed. They may well land the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, a selection they won’t have to relinquish to the Bears.
As for Williams and the Bears, they're eyeing sustained success after the franchise-altering trade. The Bears are still due the Panthers’ second-round pick in 2025, which could potentially land at No. 33 overall.
Sunday was a glimpse at the Bears' ascension and the Panthers’ bleak outlook in the future.
Dominant defense on display
The Bears defense is proving itself as one of the best in the NFL this season.
Through Sunday, the Bears rank fifth in scoring defense, seventh in total defense, third in takeaways, first in fumbles recovered, third in first downs allowed and sixth in passing defense. Chicago has ended 16.7% of its defensive series with turnovers forced.
The Bears haven't allowed more than 323 yards in a game this season and have held opponents to an average of 294.8 yards per contest. Chicago has held its opponents to 21 or fewer points in each of its past 11 games.
On Sunday, the Bears held the Panthers to 292 total yards of offense and 3-for-12 on third-down conversions while forcing three turnovers.
The defensive success is the continued rise of a unit that found its form late in the 2023 season and has carried it forward.
If the Bears can sustain production offensively to complement their stout defense, they'll be well-position to have success by playing complementary football.
Extra points
--- One area for the Bears to improve upon defensively is in preventing explosive plays. They fell behind 7-0 early when Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard ran 38 yards untouched for a touchdown. Chicago's defense avoided any breakdowns from there.
--- Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter has four sacks this season, halfway to his personal goal of eight. He’s ready to adjust that number upward if needed. Chicago seems to have its difference-making three-technique.
--- In a vital development, the Bears have established lead running back D’Andre Swift in their ground game. He posted 120 all-purpose yards Sunday, including 73 rushing yards and a touchdown. His success has opened up the entire offense.
-- For the second straight game, Bears left guard Teven Jenkins exited with an injury. He's dealing with an ankle issue this time. In the Bears' win against the Rams on Sept. 29, Nate Davis — who had been benched — was inserted at right guard with Matt Pryor sliding over to left guard. On Sunday, Davis remained seated while Bill Murray took over at left guard for Jenkins. That tells you all you need to know about Davis’ standing with the team.
-- The Bears’ 27 points in the first half were more than they'd recorded in any full game this season prior to Sunday. Their 289 yards of offense in the first half surpassed their game total in three of the first four contests of the season.
-- The Panthers' late hit on Williams near the goal line deserved a penalty flag. Like Justin Fields before him, Williams didn't get the call he should've.
-- Williams surpassed the 300-yard passing mark for the second time in five games. Fields accomplished that just once in 45 games with the Bears.
-- This is an appreciation point for Bears nose tackle Andrew “Big Bill” Billings, who got a clean hit and sack on Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton. Billings has been a force all season, even when the stat sheet doesn’t show it.
-- Doug Kramer, fullback, is still a thing. The Minifridge!
-- That was exactly how Sunday was supposed to go for the Bears.
-- London is calling this week.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.