The Bears and Panthers open their respective 2026 NFL seasons in Charlotte with high hopes that they each can repeat the success they enjoyed in 2025.
While both teams ended their seasons in similar fashion — last-minute home playoff losses against the Rams — they also vastly exceeded expectations and raised the standard for their fanbases in the process.
Sportsbooks opened this spread at Bears -2.5, and it was bet up to Bears -3 at BetMGM.
The Over/Under opened at 45.5 and moved up to 47 as we approach kickoff.
Bears vs. Panthers odds, prediction
There are a lot of parallels between these two teams, especially at quarterback.
Bryce Young was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft; Caleb Williams was the top pick in 2024.
Both players were overshadowed by quarterbacks in their respective drafts who took the league by storm as rookies — C.J. Stroud in 2023 and Jayden Daniels in 2024.
Last season, both players finally came into their own and led their teams to division titles.
The enduring images from the Bears last season were sensational throws from Williams and game-winning comebacks. But those highlights obscure their flaws.
The defense, for example, led the NFL in interceptions, but ranked 29th in total yards and 23rd in points allowed. The Bears needed those amazing plays on offense to balance out their boom-or-bust defense.
For Carolina, Young played his best season to date, and Tetairoa McMillan looks like a stud at receiver, but their offense still managed just 18.3 points per game.
Catch up on The Post’s NFL betting previews and predictions for the 2026 season
The defense finished middle of the pack in both yards (16th) and points allowed (15th), but ranked second-to-last in pressure percentage.
Both sides have flaws that can be exploited, but there’s a trend here that I can’t ignore.
The Panthers have been the best team in the league as a home underdog since the 2024 season, with a 10-5 record against the spread.
I expect the Panthers to put up a fight to open the season and keep this one within the number.
The Pick: Panthers +3 (-102, BetMGM)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
