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

The Chicago Bears (0-0) are considered favorites (-2.5) according to the bookmakers ahead of their game against the Carolina Panthers (0-0) on September 13, 2026, starting at 1 p.m. ET, airing on FOX. An over/under of 48.5 points has been established for the matchup.

The Bears put up 25.9 points per game on offense last season, which ranked them ninth in the NFL. On the defensive side of the ball, they ranked 23rd, giving up 24.4 points per contest. The Panthers averaged 18.3 points per game on offense last season (27th in NFL), and they ranked 15th on defense with 22.4 points allowed per game.

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: 48.5 points
• Spread: Bears -2.5
• Moneyline: Bears (-155), Panthers (+130)

How to watch Bears vs. Panthers

• TV Channel: FOX

Betting the Over/Under: Bears vs. Panthers

• In eight games last season, the Bears and their opponents went over 48.5 combined points.
• Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total eight times in Bears games.
• The Panthers combined with their opponent to score more than 48.5 points in seven of 17 games last season.
• A total of seven of Carolina's games last season hit the over.
• The teams combined to score 44.2 points per contest last season, 4.3 fewer points than this game's point total.
• Opponents of these two teams combined to average 46.8 points per game last year, 1.7 fewer points than this contest's over/under.

Betting the Spread: Bears vs. Panthers

• Chicago put together a 10-7-0 ATS record last year.
• Chicago covered the spread four times last season (4-2 ATS) when playing as at least 2.5-point favorites.
• The Panthers put together a 10-7-0 record against the spread last year.
• Carolina was 8-5 ATS last season when playing as at least 2.5-point underdogs.
• At home last season, the Panthers were 5-3 against the spread and 5-3 overall.
• At home last season, as 2.5-point underdogs or more, Carolina was 4-2 ATS.
• The Bears were 5-4 overall, and 5-4 against the spread, away from home last season.
• Chicago was unbeaten ATS (1-0) away from home as 2.5-point favorites or more.

Betting the Moneyline: Bears vs. Panthers

• Chicago was favored on the moneyline seven total times last season. They went 6-1 in those games.
• Last season, the Panthers won eight out of the 15 games, or 53.3%, in which they were the underdog.
• When it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -155 or shorter, Chicago had a 5-1 record (winning 83.3% of its games).
• Carolina entered 11 games last season as the underdog by +130 or more and were 5-6 in those contests.
• Based on this contest's moneyline, the Bears' implied win probability is 60.8%.

Dunkel Prediction for Bears vs. Panthers

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