It’s the Chicago Bears versus the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
- TV Channels: FOX
How to Watch Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers on September 13, 2026
You can watch the Carolina Panthers take on the Chicago Bears live on DIRECTV on FOX on September 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers — Game Preview
The Chicago Bears open their 2026 season on the road against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2026, with kickoff set for 1:00 PM ET. Chicago carries an offense that averaged 378.9 total yards and 25.9 points per game a year ago, well ahead of Carolina’s 310.6 yards and 18.3 points, and the gap shows up again on third down, where the Bears converted 42.7% of their chances to the Panthers’ 36.1%.
Caleb Williams threw for 3942 yards and 27 touchdowns against 7 interceptions last season, completing 58.1% of his passes for a 90.1 rating, and he opens this one facing a Carolina defense fronted by Derrick Brown, who piled up 73 total tackles and 5.0 sacks in 2025. Bryce Young, by contrast, posted 3011 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while completing a higher 63.6% of his throws, and he’ll need every bit of that accuracy against a Bears pass rush led by Montez Sweat’s 10.0 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Running back D’Andre Swift gives Chicago’s offense another dimension after rushing for 1087 yards and 9 touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry a season ago, a workload that could stress a Carolina defense already replacing key pieces up front. On the other side, receiver Tetairoa McMillan enters the opener coming off a 1014-yard, 7-touchdown season on just 70 catches, a 14.5 yards-per-reception average that made him one of the more efficient targets in the league.
National TV
FOX
What Time is the Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers Game Today?
The Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers game starts at 1:00 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers?
You can watch Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers on FOX. Out-of-market games are also available with NFL Sunday Ticket, exclusively on DIRECTV.
Players to Watch: Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams — QB. Caleb Williams heads into his second NFL season off a 2025 campaign that produced 3942 passing yards and 27 touchdowns against 7 interceptions. He completed 58.1% of his throws for a 90.1 rating, numbers that put him firmly in charge of Chicago’s offense entering the opener. A clean start against Carolina’s defense would go a long way toward building on that sophomore-year foundation.
D’Andre Swift — RB. The Bears lean on D’Andre Swift as their workhorse back, and his 1087 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on 223 carries last season back that up. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry, a mark that speaks to the burst he brings between the tackles and on the edge. Expect Chicago to feed him early against a Carolina run defense still finding its footing.
Montez Sweat — DE. Montez Sweat anchors Chicago’s pass rush after a 2025 season that included 10.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 53 total tackles. Those numbers made him one of the more disruptive edge rushers in the league a year ago. He’ll look to set an early tone against a Carolina offensive line still finding its footing.
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young — QB. Bryce Young takes the field for Carolina after throwing for 3011 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, completing 63.6% of his passes for an 87.8 rating. The accuracy marks him as a more efficient passer than his counterpart, even if his 11 interceptions show the growth still ahead. A strong opener would help settle a Panthers offense looking to build early momentum.
Tetairoa McMillan — WR. Tetairoa McMillan emerged as Carolina’s top target a season ago, hauling in 70 catches for 1014 yards and 7 touchdowns. His 14.5 yards per reception average shows he’s more than a possession receiver underneath. Chicago’s secondary will have its hands full trying to limit his work down the field.
Derrick Brown — DT. Derrick Brown returns as the centerpiece of Carolina’s defensive front after racking up 73 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and 5 tackles for loss last season. His interior presence sets the tone for how the rest of Carolina’s front seven plays behind him. He’ll be tasked with slowing down D’Andre Swift and Chicago’s rushing attack right out of the gate.
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