Bears vs. Panthers Thursday Night Football highlights: Chicago holds on for third win

Tyler Dragon Cydney Henderson Victoria Hernandez Jim Reineking

USA TODAY

The Chicago Bears ended a four-game skid with a 16-13 win over the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on "Thursday Night Football."

Bears undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent led Chicago to its third win of the season in a game that featured more punts than scoring plays. The Bears found themselves down early following a 79-yard punt return from Carolina’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette in the first quarter, but Chicago took the lead for the first time in the third quarter on running back D'Onta Foreman’s 4-yard touchdown run. It was good enough for the win.

The Panthers had an opportunity to tie it up in the final minutes of the game, but kicker Eddy Pineiro missed a 59-yard field goal attempt with 1:40 remaining.

Carolina failed to score an offensive touchdown. Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young completed 21 passes for 185 yards and added 18 rushing yards. Smith-Marsette’s punt return, the Panthers’ lone score of the game, was only the fifth punt of the season returned for a touchdown.

Bagent finished Thursday with 20 completions for 162 yards. He’s now 2-2 starting in place of quarterback Justin Fields, who has not played since Week 6 due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand.

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The Bears move to 3-7 on the season, while the Panthers drop to 1-8. — Cydney Henderson

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Bears vs. Panthers highlights

It wasn't pretty, but the Bears collected their third win of the season, and in turn helped their positioning for the 2024 NFL draft.

Winners and losers from Bears' win over Panthers

WINNERS

Bears RB D'Onta Foreman reaches paydirt: Both offenses struggled, but Foreman was a lone bright spot. The Bears running back carried the football 21 times for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Chicago’s offensive line didn’t create many holes for Foreman to run through, but the running back’s downhill running style was effective in between the tackles.

Foreman’s score was the Bears’ only touchdown of the night and it proved to be the difference.

Bears defense: The Bears defense kept the Panthers out of the end zone. Carolina’s sole touchdown came on a punt return.

Chicago’s defense held the Panthers to 213 total yards. The Panthers went 3-for-15 on third down.

The Bears defense had three sacks, six tackles for loss, four pass deflections and nine QB hits.

T.J. Edwards leads Bears defense: The Bears linebacker had a game-high 12 tackles. Edwards came into Week 10 with an NFC-best 98 total tackles. He’ll likely remain the conference’s leading tackler after his performance this week.

LOSERS

Thursday night featured two inept offenses: Quarterbacks Bryce Young and Tyson Bagent were both subpar for most of the game. Panthers and Bears pass catchers struggled to separate from coverage, and neither offense got into a rhythm.

Both teams punted a combined 12 times.

The Panthers offense averaged just 3.7 yards per play.

Young finished 21-of-38 for 185 yards. He had no touchdowns and no interceptions. He ended with a poor 68.4 passer rating.

The Bears averaged 4.2 yards per play.

Chicago had just one drive of more than 50 yards. The Bears finished with 295 total yards.

Bagent went 20-of-33 passing for 162 yards. Like Young, Bagent also had no touchdowns and no interceptions. Bagent ended the game with a 73.0 passer rating.

Fans: The Bears-Panthers "Thursday Night Football" game was a tough watch. The contest underscored why the Panthers and Bears are at the bottom of the NFC and will be making vacation plans in January. Each team lacks talent on both sides of the football.

The silver lining is next week’s "Thursday Night Football" game is a highly anticipated matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. Get your popcorn 🍿 ready! — Tyler Dragon

Bears, via Panthers, currently own No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL draft

The Bears own the Panthers' first-round pick as a result of a 2023 pre-draft trade that gave Carolina the No. 1 pick, which it used to select Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. That trade now has the Bears — by way of the Panthers' 1-8 record — at the top of the 2024 NFL draft after the results of "Thursday Night Football."

Eddy Pineiro's potential game-tying field goal attempt falls short

The Panthers' 15-play, 50-yard drive toward possible glory came up short as kicker Eddy Pineiro's 59-yard field goal attempt did not even reach the goal posts.

The drive started at the Panthers' 9-yard line with 7:10 left in the game, and after Pineiro's kick landed no good there was just 1:40 left on the clock for the Bears to milk for their third win of the season. — Jim Reineking

Bears 16, Panthers 13: Panthers hit field goal early in fourth quarter

The Panthers took over possession at the Bears' 40-yard line, but managed to dig themselves into a first-and-30 hole.

Despite going backwards, Bryce Young and the Panthers made a few positive plays and had a successful fourth-down conversion to get into field goal range.

Carolina capped off the drive with a 39-yard field by Eddy Pineiro. Pineiro’s field goal cut the Bears lead to 16-13 with 11:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. — Tyler Dragon

Chicago enters fourth quarter with six-point advantage

The Bears scored their first touchdown of the game in the third quarter on a 4-yard TD run by running back D'Onta Foreman.

Foreman’s touchdown represented the only points of the third period.

Like much of the contest, the third quarter was an offensive struggle. The Panthers gained just 34 yards in the quarter. The Bears’ scoring possession came on a short field where they had to go just 38 yards to the end zone.

Foreman had 34 rushing yards and a touchdown in the third period. — Tyler Dragon

Bears 16, Panthers 10: D'Onta Foreman gives Chicago the lead

The Bears capitalized off short field possession.

Running back D'Onta Foreman led the Bears on a nine-play, 38-yard touchdown drive to give Chicago its first lead of the game. Foreman had four carries during the drive, including a 4-yard touchdown run.

Foreman has 62 of Chicago’s 105 rushing yards in the game. — Tyler Dragon

Panthers vs. Bears: A history lesson

The Panthers-Bears "Thursday Night Football" game is just the 12th all-time meeting between the teams since Carolina joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995.

The Bears might hold a 7-4 series edge, but the Panthers won the most important matchup between the two teams.

During the 2005 season, the Panthers defeated the Bears, 29-21, in an NFC divisional playoff game. In that game, Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith was an unstoppable force, catching 12 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers advanced to the NFC championship game, in which they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks, 34-14. A season later, the Bears would advance to Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts. — Jim Reineking

Panthers 10, Bears 9: Carolina clinging to lead at halftime

The Bears might have some momentum when they begin the second half.

Chicago put together its best drive of the game thus far to end the first half of football. Bears QB Tyson Bagent led the Bears on a nine-play, 70-yard drive that ended in a 39-yard field goal by kicker Cairo Santos.

Santos field goal cut Chicago’s deficit to 10-9 at the end of two quarters.

The Bears gained 205 total yards in the first half but only have three field goals to show for it.

Bears wide receiver DJ Moore has a team-best four catches for 49 yards.

The game’s only touchdown came when Panthers’ Ihmir Smith-Marsette took a punt 79 yards to the house.

Panthers QB Bryce Young has just 63 passing yards at halftime. — Tyler Dragon

Panthers 10, Bears 6: Chicago settles for field goal after converting fourth down earlier in drive

The Bears kept their drive alive by converting a fourth-and-4 with quarterback Tyson Bagent’s quick pass to receiver Tyler Scott that was good for 15 yards. The Bears found themselves facing another fourth down, but this time they sent out kicker Cairo Santos for a 36-yard field goal attempt, which was good. — Cydney Henderson

Who is Ihmir Smith-Marsette?

Ihmir Smith-Marsette got a little revenge versus his former team.

Smith-Marsette was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Iowa.

Smith-Marsette played in eight games with the Vikings. He was waived by the Vikings after one season and picked up by the Chicago Bears. Smith-Marsette appeared in six games with the Bears before he was waived. He eventually signed with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad during the 2022 season. He was elevated to Kansas City’s active roster just in time for the team’s Super Bowl 57 title run.

Smith-Marsette’s tenure in Kansas City didn’t last long, though. Prior to the 2023 regular season, the Chiefs traded Smith-Marsette to the Panthers in exchange for a swap of conditional 2025 seventh-rounders.

Smith-Marsette’s touchdown Thursday night was his third career touchdown and his first punt return for a touchdown. — Tyler Dragon

Panthers 10, Bears 3: Carolina extends lead with field goal

Panthers QB Bryce Young launched the ball downfield for a 45-yard reception along the sideline by receiver Mike Strachan to advance the ball to Chicago’s 26-yard line. But Carolina wasn’t able to do much else during the drive. They settled for a 33-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10-3. — Cydney Henderson

Panthers hold slim lead, are marching at end of first quarter

The Panthers are up 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Former Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored Carolina’s lone touchdown, a 79-yard punt return midway through the quarter.

Bryce Young is 4-of-7 for 53 yards through the air and has two carries for 16 yards, both were third-down conversions.

Tyson Bagent has gone 4-of-9 for 47 yards for the Bears. He and running back D'Onta Foreman led the team downfield for Cairo Santos to kick a 54-yard field goal.

The Panthers will start the second quarter at Chicago’s 14-yard line as part of a drive boosted by a 45-yard pass from Young to Mike Strachan. — Victoria Hernandez

Panthers 7, Bears 3: Cairo Santos field goal trims Carolina's lead

The Bears got on the board with a 54-yard field goal from kicker Cairo Santos. The Bears’ drive looked promising with rookie backup quarterback Tyson Bagent connecting with receiver D.J. Moore for 13-yard reception. Chicago continued to roll with a 5-yard run and 12-yard reception by running back D'Onta Foreman, followed by another 11-yard gain. But the drive stalled on Carolina’s 36-yard line following back-to-back incompletions.

Bagent has thrown four completions for 47-yards through the first quarter. — Cydney Henderson

Panthers 7, Bears 0: Carolina scores on punt return TD

Both offenses were off to a sluggish start to begin the contest, but Panthers return man Ihmir Smith-Marsette put matters into his own hands.

Smith-Marsette fielded a Chicago punt, ran by multiple Bears special teamers, including the punter on the way to a 79-yard touchdown return for the game’s first score.

Smith-Marsette’s TD return was the fifth punt of the season returned for a touchdown. — Tyler Dragon

Impressive Bryce Young run for third-down conversion leads to nothing

Rookie quarterback Bryce Young attempted to get his team going using his legs early in the game.

He converted two third downs for the Panthers by running with the football. On third-and-five, he scrambled for eight yards. Two plays later, facing third-and-7, he took the shotgun snap, surveyed the field and sprinted forward, juking out Jaquan Brisker before diving across midfield for the first down.

But the momentum was short-lived. A short run from Chuba Hubbard followed by two incomplete passes caused the Panthers to punt. — Victoria Hernandez

Bears can do better than these orange uniforms

A shame a franchise so steeped in a century-plus’ worth of tradition – which also means it probably shouldn’t be looking especially chic – looks like such jack… Sorry, looks like such jack-o'-lanterns in their orange jerseys and new orange helmets. Stick with the winged University of Michigan knockoffs – yes, the Bears briefly wore them first in the 1930s – and call it a day. Better yet, let’s wind back to the 1960s and occasionally re-adopt the white version of the familiar “C” logo and truly honor the late Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. — Nate Davis

The Chicago Bears' Tyler Scott returns a kickoff against the Carolina Panthers.

What time does Panthers vs. Bears start?

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 9.

How can I watch Panthers vs. Bears?

Panthers at Bears will be streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video and will be broadcast in local markets only.

Montez Sweat speaks about trade to Bears, getting respect

Montez Sweat is a new addition to the Chicago Bears after he was traded from the Washington Commanders.

Ahead of Thursday's game against the Carolina Panthers, Richard Sherman asked the edge rusher about getting adjusted to his new team, which sits at the bottom of the NFC North standings.

“It’s actually been wonderful, creating new relationships, meeting new people,” Sweat said. “The difficult thing is finding a new place, finding a new routine as far as my chiropractor, my massage schedule and all that type of stuff. But everything has been good.”

Sherman said that the former first-round pick is one of seven players to have at least five sacks each of the past five seasons. Sweat registered 6.5 with the Commanders already this season before being traded. Fellow star defender Chase Young, who has five sacks, was also shipped away ahead of the trade deadline.

Sweat explained how grateful he was to play on the team, but how he’s hungry to make his own name.

“It was a very talented defensive line. I think we fed off of each other,” he said, “but I mean, in this league, that’s definitely what you want is your respect. So I’m still looking to get that.” — Victoria Hernandez

Panthers vs. Bears inactives: Justin Fields officially out

This comes as no surprise, but Bears quarterback Justin Fields is inactive for Thursday night's game. He had been listed as "doubtful" heading into the showdown with the Panthers. While Fields continues to recover from a thumb injury on his throwing hand, rookie Tyson Bagent will be making his fourth career start.

After suffering a concussion in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Burns will not play against the Bears. Receiver DJ Chark, who has three touchdown receptions this season, is also out for the Panthers.

Panthers' inactive players:

LB Brian Burns
WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
WR DJ Chark
CB CJ Henderson
OG Nash Jensen
TE Stephen Sullivan

Bears' inactive players:

QB Justin Fields
DB Terell Smith
LB Tremaine Edmunds
DL Dominique Robinson
WR Velus Jones Jr.
FB Khari Blasingame
OL Nate Davis

Jason Kelce responds to ‘Sexist Man Alive’ nomination: What took so long

Jason Kelce dropped by Amazon Prime’s "Thursday Night Football" pregame broadcast after being featured in People magazine's 2023 “Sexiest Man Alive" issue.

“It’s a win for plus-size, bearded men,” said Jason Kelce, not to be confused with his younger brother, Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce, who is dating global pop star Taylor Swift.

As Jason Kelce tells it, the nomination wasn’t a complete shock to him.

“I don’t know how this all happened, but this is just another day,” he said. “My wife tells me all the time that I’m the sexiest man in the world, so I’ve been wondering what has been taking so long for this nomination to happen.” — Cydney Henderson

Panthers vs. Bears will have profound impact on 2024 NFL draft order

The Panthers (1-7) and Bears (2-7) own two of the league's three worst records entering Week 10.

And, with some teams' seasons already looking less than promising when it comes to the playoff race, those teams' respective fanbases might be looking ahead to what might come in the 2024 NFL draft.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, their ineptitude so far this season won't mean a high draft pick in 2024. The Bears own the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick as a result of a 2023 pre-draft trade that vaulted Carolina into the top spot, where it selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

If the season today, the Arizona Cardinals would own the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. However, the Panthers (pick to Bears) and Bears, are serious contenders for the top spot.

Here is the top 10 2024 draft order heading into Week 10:

Arizona Cardinals (1-8)
Chicago Bears, from Carolina Panthers (1-7)
Chicago Bears (2-7)
New York Giants (2-7)
New England Patriots (2-7)
Los Angeles Rams (3-6)
Green Bay Packers (3-5)
Denver Broncos (3-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
Tennessee Titans (3-5)

— Jim Reineking

Revisiting Bears-Panthers 2023 pre-draft trade

As the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears take center stage on "Thursday Night Football," which team won the trade that shook up the 2023 NFL draft?

Did the Panthers pick the right quarterback? How did the trade turn out for the Bears? Who won the Bears-Panthers trade? — Safid Deen

Adam Thielen is Panthers' go-to receiver

Adam Thielen leads the Panthers with 62 receptions this season. He has 42 more receptions than the Panthers’ second-leading receiver Jonathan Mingo, who has 20 catches.

Thielen’s 596 career catches are the fifth most by an undrafted player since 1967. — Tyler Dragon

Bears LB T.J. Edwards racking up tackles

T.J. Edwards has a Bears team-high 98 tackles.

The linebacker’s 98 tackles are the best mark in the NFC entering Week 10.

Edwards is in his first season in Chicago. He signed a three-year deal with the Bears in March prior to the regular season. — Tyler Dragon

Panthers vs. Bears predictions

Lorenzo Reyes: Bears 21, Panthers 14

This result all depends on Justin Fields returning to action. If he’s unable to go, I’ll probably have the Panthers covering, though not winning straight up. Either way, I think it makes the most sense to wait until closer to kickoff.

Safid Deen: Bears 24, Panthers 17

The Bears have a lot more to address than rookie Tyson Bagent starting in place of Justin Fields, who could use another week to recover from his dislocated thumb on his throwing hand. But home field on a short week should be enough to help Chicago beat Carolina, whose rebuild isn’t going so well for No. 1 pick Bryce Young or coach Frank Reich in their first season together.

Jordan Mendoza: Bears 22, Panthers 17

This game will be ugly, and it's a great candidate to hit the under. Chicago has proven when it doesn't make mistakes, it has a pretty functional offense. Against a Carolina team that ranks last in points given up per game, expect the Bears to have one of their better games in a home victory.

➤ USA TODAY Sports' experts' picks for NFL Week 10

Panthers vs. Bears odds

The Bears enter Thursday as 3.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM NFL odds.

Panthers vs. Bears best anytime TD scorer bets

NFL Week 10 picks, predictions and odds

What does 'GSH' stand for on Bears' uniforms?

The "GSH" that is on the shoulder of the Chicago Bears' jerseys stands for George Stanley Halas. It was added to the Bears' jerseys in 1984 after Halas' death in 1983.

Halas, one of the original co-founders of the NFL and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was a founder, owner, player and head coach for the Bears.

At the meeting during which the NFL was formed in Canton, Ohio, Halas attended while representing the Decatur Staleys, who would become the Chicago Bears.

Halas coached the Bears for 40 seasons, and his 318 regular-season victories (324 total wins, counting playoffs), were a long-standing NFL record until broken by Don Shula in 1994.

Hallas was coach of the Bears for the team's 73-0 win over Washington in the 1940 NFL championship game, the largest blowout in league history. In all, Halas won six NFL championships as Bears head coach. — Jim Reineking

Ranking all 32 NFL teams from most to least entertaining

The midway point of the NFL season might not be a time that yields abundant certainty about where each team is heading, but it gives a good enough indication where every franchise stands. By now, however, there's a large enough sample size to make some conclusions about each team's identity.

And while there's no accounting for taste, some franchises are more adept than others at commanding observers' attention and rewarding them with some fun.

With that in mind, here's our entirely unscientific ranking of all 32 NFL teams from most to least entertaining. — Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz

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