Bears-Panthers: Three standout stats to watch in the season opener

As the start of the Chicago Bears season approaches on Sunday, it is crucial to continue your reign as the smartest fan at the function.

Here are three statistics for your arsenal when the Bears kick off against the Panthers:

It’s well known by this point that the Bears lost several of their top takeaway producers this offseason. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, safety Kevin Byard and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds combined for nearly 70 percent of the team’s interceptions in 2025.

If the new-look secondary featuring rookie Dillon Thieneman and veteran Xavier Woods up top can pick up where the Bears left off 2025, Chicago will have the clear advantage over Carolina, which threw 12 interceptions last season.

The Panthers struggled pretty significantly covering tight ends last season giving up 1,019 yards and seven touchdowns to the position.

Tight end Colston Loveland has been heavily regarded as a year-two breakout player in league media circles. However, labeling it a breakout might be doing a disservice to Loveland's rookie season, when he was the first Bears rookie to lead the team in receiving yards since Willie Gault in 1983 and the first rookie tight end to do so since Mike Ditka in 1961.

Loveland, along with veteran Cole Kmet and rookie Sam Roush, could be a part of a room that eats on Sunday.

Carolina not only stayed strong against such plays, but was dominant, having the lowest yards allowed per attempt on under-center play-action passes since the Browns in 2023 (5.1).

It’s no secret that Ben Johnson enjoys calling play-action, as the Bears ran it at a clip of 31.9% in 2025, second-most in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. With the Panthers having success against the play, the question is whether that number decreases at all or if Johnson takes on the challenge.

With Johnson, it’s fairly easy to believe in the latter. 

Read: Can Caleb Williams and the Bears start quick on Sunday?