Bears Favored But Defense Questions Loom | Carolina Panthers News

The Chicago Bears open the 2026 season as road favorites against the Panthers — a rare honor for them in a decade. Under second-year coach Ben Johnson, they boast a dazzling offense led by Caleb Williams and Odunze, fueling optimism for a playoff run. But skepticism lingers: their defense lost key pieces, including interception leader Kevin Byard, and last year’s success relied heavily on turnovers and close wins. The Panthers, with a potent running game and receivers ready to exploit Chicago’s shaky secondary, could be the team to make this a tight, possibly upset-filled game. While the Bears’ offense may carry them, their defensive flaws could be the deciding factor — and betting against them in this matchup is gaining traction. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://sports.yahoo.com/videos/chicago-bears-favorites-triumph-nfl-115113587.html More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/720a48b018c0d219 Report issues to [email protected].