Bears vs. Panthers Week 1 Dunkel NFL Picks, Predictions and Odds

The Chicago Bears (0-0) are considered favorites (-3) according to the oddsmakers ahead of their game versus the Carolina Panthers (0-0) on September 13, 2026, starting at 1 p.m. ET, airing on FOX. The predicted point total for the game is 47.5.

Despite having a bottom-five defense that ranked fourth-worst in the NFL (361.8 yards allowed per game) last season, the Bears put up better results on the other side of the ball, ranking sixth in the NFL by totaling 369.5 yards per game. The Panthers averaged 18.3 points per game offensively last season (27th in NFL), and they surrendered 22.4 points per game (15th) on the other side of the ball.

Bears vs. Panthers Odds and Game Time

• Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• City: Charlotte, North Carolina
• Venue: Bank of America Stadium
• Total: 47.5 points
• Spread: Bears -3
• Moneyline: Bears (-170), Panthers (+142)

How to watch Bears vs. Panthers

• TV Channel: FOX

Betting the Over/Under: Bears vs. Panthers

• The Bears' 17 games last season went over this contest's total of 47.5 points eight times.
• The Bears and their opponents combined to go over the point total eight out of 17 times last season.
• The Panthers played seven games last season that had more than 47.5 combined points scored.
• In Carolina games last season, combined scoring went over the point total seven times.
• The two teams combined to score 44.2 points per game last season, 3.3 fewer points than this matchup's total.
• Combined, these teams surrendered 46.8 points per contest last year, 0.7 fewer points than the total for this game.

Betting the Spread: Bears vs. Panthers

• Chicago won 10 games against the spread last season, failing to cover seven times.
• Chicago was 3-2 ATS last season when playing as at least 3-point favorites.
• The Panthers covered 10 times in 17 matchups with a spread last year.
• When playing as at least 3-point underdogs last season, Carolina had an ATS record of 8-5.
• The Panthers were 5-3 against the spread, and 5-3 overall, at home last year.
• Last season, as 3-point underdogs or more at home, Carolina was 4-2 ATS.
• The Bears were 5-4 against the spread, and 5-4 overall, in away games last season.
• Chicago was unbeaten ATS (1-0) as 3-point favorites or more on the road.

Betting the Moneyline: Bears vs. Panthers

• Chicago finished 6-1 in games it was listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 85.7% of those games).
• The Panthers were underdogs in 15 games last season and won eight (53.3%) of those contests.
• Chicago had a record of 3-1 when it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -170 or shorter (75%).
• Carolina was 5-6 last season when entering a game as the underdog by +142 or more on the moneyline.
• Based on this contest's moneyline, the Bears have an implied win probability of 63.0%.

Dunkel Prediction for Bears vs. Panthers

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