Chicago Bears open a 2.5-point favorite over Carolina Panthers — about 60% implied to win outright. The 44.5 total prices it near 24–21.

Chicago Bears went 11–6 in 2025 — #16 of 32 by point differential (+1.5/g), but +1.9 of those wins outran their scoring margin, a regression flag.

Carolina Panthers went 8–9 in 2025 — #25 of 32 by point differential (-4.1/g), but +1.5 of those wins outran their scoring margin, a regression flag.

Chicago Bears face one of the NFL's toughest 2026 schedules (strength of schedule #1).