The October 6th, 2024 matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers was more than a regular-season game — it was a clear reflection of two franchises moving in very different directions. The Bears’ impressive 36–10 victory wasn’t just about points on the board; it was about momentum, identity, preparation, and the emergence of a new NFL star at quarterback.
This detailed breakdown explores the key player stats, major storylines, turning points, and what this game means for both teams moving forward.
Game Summary: Bears Take Control Early and Never Let Go
The Panthers entered the game hoping to build some rhythm in their struggling season, but the Bears had other plans. After the first quarter, Chicago tightened their grip and never allowed Carolina back into the contest.
Final Score:
Chicago Bears 36 – Carolina Panthers 10
Team Stats Overview
- Chicago Total Yards: 424
- Carolina Total Yards: 292
- Turnovers: Carolina 3 — Chicago 0
- Red Zone TD %: Bears 75% — Panthers 0%
- 3rd-Down Efficiency: Bears 36.4% — Panthers 25%
The stat sheet tells the entire story. The Bears were disciplined, efficient, and explosive when needed. The Panthers were inconsistent, turnover-prone, and unable to finish drives.
Chicago improved to 3-2, showing signs of a team on the rise. Carolina fell to 1-4, leaving the field with more questions than answers.
Read More: 49ers vs Green Bay Packers Match Player Stats: Full Breakdown and Game Highlights
Key Player Stats: Who Stood Out the Most?
Here are the performances that shaped the outcome:
Chicago Bears
- Caleb Williams (QB): 304 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 126.2 rating
- DJ Moore (WR): 5 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs
- D’Andre Swift (RB): 73 rushing yards, 1 TD, 47 receiving yards
- Roschon Johnson (RB): 2 rushing TDs
Carolina Panthers
- Chuba Hubbard (RB): 13 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
- Andy Dalton (QB): 136 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
- Bryce Young (QB): 58 yards, limited action
Caleb Williams Delivers His Strongest Performance Yet
If there was one headline from this game, it was the rise of Caleb Williams.
Chicago’s rookie quarterback played with poise, accuracy, and leadership far beyond his age. Completing 20 of 29 passes (69%) for 304 yards and two touchdowns, Williams looked like a player already comfortable running an NFL offense.
What made his performance remarkable?
1. Zero Turnovers
He made smart decisions, avoided risky throws, and worked through his reads efficiently.
2. Accuracy Downfield
Several major completions came on deep or intermediate routes, showing chemistry with his receivers — especially DJ Moore.
3. Mobility When Needed
With 34 rushing yards, he turned broken plays into positive gains. That dual-threat ability kept Carolina’s defense guessing all game.
Williams didn’t just perform well — he looked like a future franchise quarterback.
DJ Moore’s Revenge Game: A Statement Performance
When the Bears traded for DJ Moore in 2023, it reshaped their franchise. In this matchup, Moore showed exactly why.
Facing his former team, Moore delivered:
- 5 catches
- 105 yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 21 yards per catch
His first touchdown, a 34-yard bomb, set the tone early. The second, a 30-yard strike before halftime, felt like the moment the Panthers completely lost hope.
Moore didn’t trash-talk or celebrate loudly — he let his performance speak for him. And it was loud.
Quarterback Comparison: A Clear Difference in Quality
Quarterback performance is often the biggest indicator of success. In this game, the gap was wide.
| QB | Completions | Yards | TD–INT | Rating | Sacks | Rush Yards |
| Caleb Williams (CHI) | 20/29 | 304 | 2–0 | 126.2 | 1 | 34 |
| Andy Dalton (CAR) | 18/28 | 136 | 0–1 | 61.0 | 3 | 3 |
| Bryce Young (CAR) | 4/7 | 58 | 0–0 | 84.2 | 1 | 8 |
Dalton looked uncomfortable and inconsistent. Young only appeared late in the fourth quarter — a sign of the coaching staff’s uncertainty.
The difference in quarterback play was one of the biggest reasons for the lopsided score.
Chicago’s Balanced Offense Was the Key
The Bears executed one of their most balanced offensive performances in years:
- 39 rushing attempts
- 29 passing attempts
That kind of balance keeps defenses off-guard. D’Andre Swift led the run game with 73 yards and a TD, while Roschon Johnson provided power near the goal line, scoring twice.
Swift also had a 47-yard catch showing his versatility. This balance allowed Chicago to control the clock and tempo.
Carolina Panthers Offense: A Missed Opportunity
While Chuba Hubbard had a strong day, the Panthers offense overall struggled badly.
Major issues included:
- 3 turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception)
- 0% red-zone efficiency (0/2)
- Poor third-down conversions (25%)
- No passing rhythm
Even Hubbard’s impressive 38-yard touchdown run couldn’t swing momentum back their way.
Chuba Hubbard Was Carolina’s Only Bright Spot
Hubbard ran the ball with burst, vision, and strength. He finished with:
- 97 yards
- 13 carries
- 1 touchdown
His TD momentarily tied the game and offered a glimpse of what Carolina could be with a better offensive structure. But after he lost a fumble in the second half, the Panthers’ hopes faded quickly.
Bears Defense Dominates from Start to Finish
Chicago’s defense was relentless:
- 4 sacks
- 3 forced turnovers
- 5 tackles for loss
- 25% third-down allowed
Key contributors included:
- Kevin Byard — 5 tackles and a game-shifting interception
- Tremaine Edmunds — forced fumble that flipped momentum
- Montez Sweat & Kyler Gordon — constant pressure
The defense set the tone, suffocated Carolina’s QBs, and created multiple scoring opportunities for the offense.
Turnovers: The Stat That Decided the Game
If one number defined the game, it was the turnover margin:
- Bears: 0 turnovers
- Panthers: 3 turnovers
Those giveaways resulted in 14 points for Chicago. In the NFL, that’s often the ballgame.
A safe, efficient offense plus an aggressive defense is a winning combination — and Chicago executed it perfectly.
The 2023 Trade Revisited: Bears Clearly Winning
When the Panthers traded the #1 pick (later used to select Caleb Williams) to Chicago in 2023, they hoped Bryce Young would be the answer.
Fast-forward to this game:
- DJ Moore burned Carolina for 105 yards & 2 TDs
- Caleb Williams looks like a star
- Panthers still searching for a QB identity
This matchup made the trade look even more one-sided.
What This Game Means Going Forward
For the Chicago Bears
- Caleb Williams is developing fast
- DJ Moore remains an elite WR1
- The defense is forming an identity
- Playoff hopes suddenly feel realistic
Chicago is building something meaningful — and this win was proof.
For the Carolina Panthers
- Major offensive issues continue
- QB uncertainty remains a problem
- Turnovers and pass protection need fixing
- Coaching staff faces pressure
They must stabilize the quarterback position and rebuild confidence before the season slips away entirely.
Final Thoughts
The Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears match player stats reveal a game where one team showed discipline, balance, and star talent — while the other struggled to find stability. Chicago’s dominance was no accident. It was the result of smart coaching, strong defense, and a quarterback who already looks like the future.
For Chicago fans, the future is bright.
For Carolina fans, patience is still required.
