Good morning, Bears fans!

What an opener! I was a bit worried I’d wake up and learn that the Bears owning a league-leading offense was just a dream.

But I’m awake and happy to report it’s real … and really quite spectacular.

Great Victory Monday newsletter ahead! Forward it to a friend who’s as excited for this team as we are.

— Kevin Kaduk

Bears set records in opening romp The 96 combined points were the most-ever in a Week 1 contest, surpassing the 88 posted by the Saints and Buccaneers in 2018. (Drew Brees was in the booth to see his record fall.) Meanwhile, the 59 points scored by the Bears were the most since a 61-7 win over the Packers in 1980.

Running backs lead the way D’Andre Swift rushed 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns while Kyle Monangai added 10 carries for 100 yards and a score. And sorry, Roschon: Caleb Williams served as the ceremonial RB3, running for 65 yards and two scores. Only the second six rushing TD game in Bears history, joining a 1941 date against Detroit.

The return of Good, Better, Best! If there was any doubt, Ben Johnson brought it back in a victorious postgame locker room. Game balls went to Swift, the entire offensive line and Dillon Thieneman, who had 10 tackles.

Packers lose, Vikings and Lions win Minnesota dealt Green Bay its sixth straight loss with 29 unanswered points, while the Lions survived a scare against the Saints after blowing a three-touchdown lead. Kellen Moore’s gutsy call for a two-point conversion in OT didn’t work out for New Orleans.

There are three ways for a football coach to capture the hearts of Chicagoans: Run the football, play good defense and win games.

Two out of three hasn’t been bad for Ben Johnson.

It certainly wasn’t for him during Sunday’s season opener in Carolina. The Bears ran straight over the Panthers to the tune of 39 carries for 291 yards, an average of 7.5 yards per rush. It was the third time in Johnson’s 18 regular season games that the Bears rushed for over 280 yards.

As noted above, D’Andre Swift ran for 124 yards and Kyle Monangai ran for 100 more. It was the first time the Bears had two backs reach the century mark since the same pair did it on Black Friday in Philadelphia.

And before that? Well, it was Walter Payton and his friend Matt Suhey in November 1985. Suhey died suddenly last week and so it seemed appropriate the Bears would come out on Sunday and bend the game to their will through a fundamental two-headed rushing attack.

Not that there was any novelty in the approach. For all the deserved praise he gets as a high-level offensive mind, Johnson is really a meat-and-potatoes guy at heart. And while Caleb Williams’ amazing throws to DJ Moore and Cole Kmet led the highlight reel, the reality is that last year’s resurgence was powered by a rushing offense that ranked third in the league at 144 yards per game … all behind an improved line that was Johnson’s first order of business after arriving.

But last season’s magical run also ended when the Rams were able to stop it as the pair only combined for 112 yards in the NFC Divisional Round loss. Monangai was particularly ineffective with 13 rushes for 36 yards in that game.

Sunday’s soupy atmosphere in Charlotte was the exact opposite of last January’s frozen setting in Chicago and so was the running game’s output.

Johnson made the call that his offense would be able to grind out the game on the ground and keep a substandard defense off the field, particularly in the second half.

And when Monangai sprang loose for a 61-yard run to give the Bears a two-touchdown lead at the end of the third quarter, it was apparent he’d made the right decision.

As someone who attended a university once renowned for winning football games in the same manner, it was a beautiful thing to watch. (RIP Wisconsin football.)

When you throw in Caleb’s ability to both run and pass, it’s hard to imagine how any opposing defensive coordinator will get any sleep the week they face the Bears.

The Bears will face defenses tougher than the Panthers throughout the season. As soon as next week, in fact, as a Minnesota defense comes to town after holding Green Bay to 66 rushing yards on Sunday. (Though the Vikings may also be in for a rude awakening after feasting on no Josh Jacobs and that bad Packers OL.)

But forget the quest for 4,000 passing yards or becoming the highest-scoring offense in league history: Can this Bears team post a 3,000+ rushing season?

The 2022 team holds the franchise record for team rushing yards in a season with 3,014 during Justin Fields’ historic running season.

And last year’s squad still only ranks 11th in team history with 2,456 yards.

The 2026 team is well on pace to smash both and given Sunday’s performance, it sure wouldn’t be a surprise to see it happen.

I covered plenty of ground in my members-exclusive Sunday takeaways column including Ben’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1, my thoughts on the defense and the throw from Caleb that will stick with us. Read it now.

Ryan Droste and I did our first seven-minute postgame show, perfect for your commute or morning walk. (YouTube • Podcast)

Opinions and analysis from Bears By 7 members

“This is the first time in my life as a Bears fan that I can’t wait for the offense to get on the field. The defense is really worrisome, but I’m hopeful they can figure out a move or two before the deadline and get better as the season goes on. It definitely can’t continue like this.” — Greg Smith

“I was happy to see Jahdae Walker get a TD. He was in on several big special teams plays (that hit!) and also had some key blocks for big plays. Hard workers deserve to get rewarded like he was.” — Dan Murray

“The Bears score 59 points and Loveland cannot register one reception! Why? I picked him on my fantasy team!!!!” — Ken Kaduk

Become a member to get a take in next Monday’s newsletter!

• The Bears offense leads Frank Schwab’s well-read Week 1 winners and losers column. (Yahoo Sports)

• Ben Johnson could “kind of tell” that Caleb Williams was locked in the night before the game. (Tribune)

• Can the Bears offense keep this up? Kevin Fishbain and Dan Wiederer talk it though. (The Athletic)

• The updated pickem leaderboard is up! 26 people tied for first after placing all 17 points on a Bears opening win. (Bears By 7)