When I watched Caleb Williams find DJ Moore wide open on that crossing route for a 34-yard touchdown, I knew something special was brewing at Soldier Field. The Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears match player stats tell a story of complete domination, with Chicago’s rookie quarterback putting on a clinic against his potential former team.
Game Summary at a Glance
| Game Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 October 2024 |
| Venue | Soldier Field, Chicago |
| Final Score | Bears 36, Panthers 10 |
| Attendance | 59,307 |
| Weather | Clear conditions |
Williams Delivers Career Performance Against Struggling Panthers
I’ve covered plenty of rookie quarterbacks over the years, but Williams’ stat line from Sunday jumped off the screen. He connected on 20 of 29 attempts for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns without throwing a single pick. That 126.2 passer rating? Highest by any Bears rookie quarterback since they started tracking ratings in 1970.
“It took five weeks to get the down-the-field pass game going,” Moore said after the game. “When it hits, it hits and it was good today.”
Passing Game Breakdown
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TDS | INTS | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | 20 | 29 | 304 | 2 | 0 | 126.2 |
| Tyson Bagent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
What made Williams’ performance even more impressive was his growth trajectory. His passer rating climbed from 51.0 in Week 1 to this masterpiece against Carolina. “He’s just learning and growing and you can see that in these games that we’ve had,” coach Matt Eberflus explained. “He knows that. So he’s just got to level up, keep leveling up and every time we’ve challenged him he’s done that ever since the summer.”
Moore’s Revenge Game Against Former Team
DJ Moore wasn’t just catching passes, he was making statements. Five receptions, 105 yards, and both of Williams’ touchdown throws. His celebration after that second score? Pure emotion. Playing against the team that traded him to Chicago as part of the deal that eventually brought Williams to the Bears added extra spice to an already impressive performance.
| Receiver | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average | TDS | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Moore | 5 | 8 | 105 | 21.0 | 2 | 34 |
| Cole Kmet | 3 | 4 | 57 | 19.0 | 0 | 26 |
| D’Andre Swift | 2 | 2 | 47 | 23.5 | 0 | 42 |
| Rome Odunze | 5 | 6 | 40 | 8.0 | 0 | 11 |
| Keenan Allen | 3 | 6 | 33 | 11.0 | 0 | 19 |
Ground Attack: Volume Beats Efficiency
While Chuba Hubbard’s 38-yard touchdown run gave Carolina an early spark, Chicago’s commitment to establishing the run ultimately wore down the Panthers defense. I counted 39 rushing attempts for Chicago compared to just 19 for Carolina, a disparity that controlled clock and field position.
Rush Attack Comparison
| Team | Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | D’Andre Swift | 21 | 73 | 3.5 | 1 |
| Roschon Johnson | 10 | 25 | 2.5 | 2 | |
| Caleb Williams | 5 | 34 | 6.8 | 0 | |
| Panthers | Chuba Hubbard | 13 | 97 | 7.5 | 1 |
| Miles Sanders | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 0 | |
| Diontae Johnson | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 0 |
Roschon Johnson’s role as Chicago’s goal line hammer paid dividends with two short touchdown plunges. Meanwhile, Swift accumulated 120 total yards from scrimmage, marking his second consecutive game hitting that milestone. His 42-yard screen pass reception showcased Chicago’s ability to attack defenses multiple ways.
Defensive Takeaway Machine
Chicago’s defense has been creating turnovers all season, and Sunday was no exception. Kevin Byard’s interception marked his 29th career pick, tying him for most in the league since 2017. Gervon Dexter Sr. continued terrorizing quarterbacks with 4 hits and a fumble recovery, becoming the first Bears defensive lineman since Khalil Mack in 2021 to record sacks in four of the team’s first five games.
Key Defensive Performances
| Chicago Bears | Tackles | Sacks | INTS | Forced Fumbles | Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Byard III | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Gervon Dexter Sr. | 2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tremaine Edmunds | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Kyler Gordon | 5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Since the start of 2023, Chicago sports a 6-1 record when they don’t turn the ball over. Sunday marked their second straight game without a giveaway, while forcing three from Carolina. That plus-3 turnover margin typically decides games, and this was no exception.
Carolina’s Quarterback Dilemma Deepens
Andy Dalton’s struggles continued despite getting the start over Bryce Young. His 18 completions on 28 attempts netted just 136 yards, while he absorbed 3 sacks and threw a costly interception. The 61.0 passer rating tells you everything about his afternoon.
Panthers Passing Struggles
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Yards | TDS | INTS | Rating | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Dalton | 18 | 28 | 136 | 0 | 1 | 61.0 | 3 |
| Bryce Young | 4 | 7 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 84.2 | 1 |
“I just thought he did a fantastic job extending plays,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said about Williams. “We had him dead to rights a couple times. He wiggled out of great rushes, great pressure on him. We had things covered, live looking at it, and he extended the play and found completions.”
Young entered for garbage time and moved the ball slightly better, but Canales confirmed Dalton remains the starter moving forward. I’m not sure how many more 136-yard performances Carolina can stomach before making a permanent switch.
Game-Changing Moments
First Quarter Momentum Swing After Hubbard’s early touchdown stunned the home crowd, Williams’ response was immediate and emphatic. That 34-yard strike to Moore marked Chicago’s first opening quarter touchdown all season. From that moment, everything clicked.
Halftime Dagger With Carolina attempting to keep pace, Williams found Moore again for a 30-yard score with under a minute left in the half. Chicago led 27-7 at the break, and you could feel the energy drain from Carolina’s sideline.
Byard’s Backbreaker Early third quarter, Carolina driving to cut into the lead. Byard stepped in front of Dalton’s pass, securing Chicago’s second turnover. Cairo Santos’ subsequent field goal pushed the lead to 30-7, effectively ending any comeback hopes.
Statistical Dominance Across the Board
Looking at team totals, Chicago’s control becomes even clearer:
Complete Team Statistics
| Category | Panthers | Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 292 | 424 |
| First Downs | 14 | 24 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 3/12 (25%) | 4/11 (36.4%) |
| Time of Possession | 26:12 | 33:48 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Sacks Allowed | 4 | 1 |
| Red Zone TDS | 0/2 (0%) | 3/4 (75%) |
I’ve watched enough football to know red zone efficiency often determines outcomes. Chicago’s 75% touchdown rate inside the 20 compared to Carolina’s complete failure to punch it in tells the whole story.
Special Teams Battle
Both punters earned their paychecks Sunday. Johnny Hekker boomed kicks for Carolina at 51.5 yards per attempt, while Tory Taylor averaged a respectable 44.5 for Chicago. Cairo Santos connected on his only field goal try from 33 yards, though he missed an extra point. Eddy Piñeiro split his attempts for Carolina, connecting from 27 but pushing one wide from 45.
Kicking Game Statistics
| Category | Panthers | Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | 1/2 | 1/1 |
| Extra Points | 1/1 | 3/4 |
| Gross Punt Average | 51.5 | 44.5 |
| Net Punt Average | 40.0 | 39.5 |
Historical Context and Looking Forward
Chicago’s eighth straight home victory ties them with the NFL’s longest active streak. They haven’t dominated Soldier Field like this since winning 10 straight from 2005-06. Meanwhile, Carolina drops to 1-4, with serious questions about offensive identity and quarterback play.
I noticed something interesting in Williams’ development. His progression from struggling rookie to efficient game manager happened faster than most. Compare this to other NFC matchups like the Detroit Lions vs Dallas Cowboys player stats, where veteran quarterbacks still struggle with consistency.
Former Bulls star Derrick Rose got a huge ovation when he was shown on the videoboard before the second quarter. Chants of “MVP! MVP!” rang through Soldier Field for the recently retired point guard from Chicago. Even Rose’s appearance couldn’t match the excitement Williams and Moore generated on the field.
Key Injury Updates
Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble left with a concussion after fumbling in the first half. Chicago entered relatively healthy and stayed that way, a luxury Carolina hasn’t enjoyed this season.
FAQs About Panthers vs Bears Player Stats
Caleb Williams dominated with 304 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 126.2 passer rating. His efficiency and decision-making stood out above all other players on the field.
Chicago’s plus-3 turnover margin essentially decided the contest. They forced an interception and two fumbles while committing none themselves, creating short fields and killing Carolina drives.
Moore torched his former team for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 5 catches. Both scores came on big plays of 34 and 30 yards, showing Chicago’s explosive potential when Williams has time.
Chuba Hubbard averaged an impressive 7.5 yards per carry, but received only 13 attempts. His efficiency couldn’t overcome Carolina’s inability to sustain drives or score in the red zone.
They’ve now held opponents to 21 points or fewer in 11 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Sunday’s 3 takeaways pushed their season total to 11, ranking third league-wide.
Final Analysis
Sunday’s game showcased everything working right for Chicago and everything going wrong for Carolina. Williams looks like the franchise quarterback Bears fans have waited decades for, while Moore continues producing at an elite level. Their connection sparked an offensive explosion that Carolina’s depleted defense couldn’t contain.
For detailed game statistics, check the official NFL game center, view the complete box score on ESPN, or dive into advanced metrics at Pro Football Reference. Additional game breakdowns available at CBS Sports and Fox Sports.
The Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears match player stats reveal more than just numbers. They show a young quarterback coming into his own, a defense playing championship-caliber football, and a team building something special on Chicago’s lakefront.
