It’s a typical matchup between two clubs with a combined record of 3–14.
At the half, the Panthers lead the Bears 10–9.
In terms of offensive production, Chicago has outperformed Carolina, with more plays (42 versus 24), yards (205 versus 97), and first downs (13 versus 6). However, the Bears had to make do with field goals from Cairo Santos of 54, 36, and 39, the last coming on the penultimate play of the half.
Three scoring drives by the Bears halted at the 36, 18, and 21.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, though, gives Carolina the lead after returning a punt 79 yards for a score. Smith-Marsette became the sixth player in franchise history to score on a punt return, and it was the Panthers’ first touchdown return since their victory over the Jets on Nov. 26, 2017.
Nine plays for 32 yards, eight plays for 60 yards, three plays for minus-6 yards, and five plays for 21 yards have comprised the Panthers’ four possessions.
For 63 yards, Bryce Young is just 7 of 14 overall. In addition, he has two carries for 16 yards and two first downs. Adam Thielen has eight yards from three catches. Eddy Pineiro’s 33-yard field goal was made possible by a pass from Young to Mike Strachan, a member of the practise squad, which accounted for 45 of his passing yards.
Tyler Bagent, a rookie with the Bears, is 14 of 24 for 127 yards. The Bears’ last drive of the half consisted of a nine-play, 70-yard drive that he guided.
Against his previous team, DJ Moore had four catches for 49 yards.
