Caleb Williams and the Bears made an opening day statement in Carolina. Stuck in a 31-31 game in the third quarter, the aggressive visitors storm past the Panthers in the highest scoring NFL opener ever, 59-37.
Williams scores twice with his legs, including on a 29 yard rushing touchdown.
"I got through it and I saw a lot of space." Williams says.
"I saw no linebackers so I didn't have to weave anybody. The third level defenders, they were matched up or manned up, plastering our guys, and so from there it was just beat them to the pylon."
Williams totals 65 yards rushing plus 269 yards passing and TD's to Cole Kmet and Jahdae Walker.
On a day TE Colston Loveland doesn't catch a pass seven other Bears catch balls, including Kalif Raymond who's 8 grabs for 84yds are a team high.
The Bears offense puts up two touchdowns in each quarter plus a second quarter field goal, piling up 552 yards, 291 rushing.
Running back D'Andre Swift sizzles for 124 yards and 3 scores in his first game since signing a new three year, 33.75-million-dollar contract extension.
"To be able to stick around with this group of guys is something special, something I don't take it for granted." Swift says.
"To be able to go in work along side Ben. I'm just thankful and grateful for the opportunity to continue to work."
Kyle Monangai adds 100 yards rushing including a 61 yard score.
After Carolina tied the game 31-31 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Bears out-scored the Panthers 28-7 the rest of the game.
59 points are a Bears record for an opener, smashing the 45 scored in 1948, and the fourth most in team history. Ben Johnson said he wanted the highest scoring team ever.
"Listen, that will always be the goal. We want to be the highest scoring. We want to have the most wins. We want to win Super Bowls. That's what we do." Johnson says.
"We didn't get into this profession to be mediocre or average. And that's every NFL team. We make decisions during the week what's best for our football team to win the game. That's the most important thing and that goes into everything that we do."
Johnson's Bears piled up 26 first downs and held the ball for 34 minutes, 8 more minutes than the Panthers.
