Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats Breakdown (Oct 6, 2024)
The Chicago Bears absolutely crushed the Carolina Panthers 36-10 at Soldier Field on October 6th, 2024 in what turned into a showcase of why one team is rising and the other is sinking.
When the final whistle blew, the stats showed just how one-sided this beatdown really was:
| Category | Bears | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 424 | 292 |
| Passing | 304 | 194 |
| Rushing | 128 | 120 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| 3rd Down | 36.4% | 25.0% |
| Red Zone TD % | 75% | 0% |
Chicago moved to 3-2 with the win while Carolina fell to 1-4, but the box score only tells part of the story.
That 2023 Trade Comes Back to Haunt Carolina
This game wasn’t just about the score – it was about that massive 2023 trade that sent the #1 pick to Carolina (for Bryce Young) while Chicago grabbed multiple draft picks and WR DJ Moore.
Both fan bases circled this matchup on their calendars, and the on-field results couldn’t have been more clear about who’s winning that trade so far.
Williams Makes It Look Easy
Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams put on a clinic Sunday against the Panthers defense.
The first-year signal caller hit 20 of 29 throws (69%) for 304 yards with 2 touchdowns and no picks. His 126.2 passer rating told the story of a QB who looked more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie.
Williams took just one sack all day and added 34 rushing yards on 5 carries when he needed to scramble.
Panthers defenders struggled to contain him all game, as Williams consistently found open receivers and made smart decisions with the football.
This performance continues Chicago’s momentum following their big division win over Minnesota earlier this season.
Moore Torches His Former Team
If you wrote a script for a revenge game, it would look a lot like what DJ Moore did to his former team on Sunday.
The former Panthers wideout grabbed 5 passes for 105 yards and both of Williams’ touchdown strikes. His 21 yards per catch average showed just how explosive he was every time he touched the ball.
Moore’s first score came on a 34-yard strike in the opening quarter that set the tone. His second – a beautiful 30-yard grab just before halftime – essentially put the game out of reach.
While Moore kept his comments professional after the game, his play on the field screamed volumes about his motivation level facing the team that traded him away.
QB Play: A Tale of Two Franchises
The quarterback comparison perfectly captures the current state of these franchises:
| Stat | Williams (CHI) | Dalton (CAR) | Young (CAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comp-Att | 20-29 (69%) | 18-28 (64%) | 4-7 (57%) |
| Yards | 304 | 136 | 58 |
| TD-INT | 2-0 | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Rating | 126.2 | 61.0 | 84.2 |
| Sacks | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Rush Yards | 34 | 3 | 8 |
Williams looked like a franchise cornerstone while Panthers QBs struggled to generate consistent offense.
Bears Ground Game Keeps Defense Honest
The Chicago rushing attack gave Williams the perfect complement, keeping Carolina’s defense from focusing solely on the pass.
D’Andre Swift handled the bulk of the work with 73 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. He added 2 catches for 47 yards, including a huge 42-yard reception that flipped field position.
Roschon Johnson played the hammer role, pounding in two 1-yard touchdown runs among his 10 carries for 25 yards.
The Bears finished with 128 rushing yards on 39 attempts with 3 scores on the ground. This balanced approach (39 runs, 29 passes) kept Carolina defenders guessing throughout the afternoon.
Chicago’s Defense Feasts on Panthers
The Bears defense turned this game into a takeaway party, generating 3 turnovers while giving up none. Their 4 sacks kept constant pressure on Carolina’s passers.
Kevin Byard led the charge with 5 tackles and a critical interception. Tremaine Edmunds (4 tackles, forced fumble) and Kyler Gordon (4 tackles, half sack, fumble recovery) created game-changing plays at key moments.
The Chicago defense completely shut down Carolina in the red zone (0-for-2) while allowing just 25% conversion on third downs.
“We pride ourselves on taking the ball away,” Byard said post-game. “That’s been our focus since training camp, and today it paid off.”
Panthers QB Situation: More Questions Than Answers
Carolina’s quarterback struggles continue to define their season.
Andy Dalton got the start but delivered his worst outing as a Panther. His 136 passing yards on 28 attempts (just 4.9 per throw) with no TDs and a pick resulted in a dismal 61.0 rating. Add in 3 sacks and a lost fumble, and it was a forgettable day.
Bryce Young, the centerpiece of that blockbuster 2023 trade, only appeared in garbage time. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 58 yards in limited action.
After the game, coach Dave Canales confirmed Dalton would remain the starter, citing offensive line injuries as context for Young’s brief appearance.
The Panthers QB issues mirror what we saw in their recent loss to Arizona – inconsistency under center continues plaguing this offense.
Hubbard: The Lone Bright Spot for Carolina
Running back Chuba Hubbard gave Panthers fans their only real reason to cheer.
Hubbard broke off 97 yards on just 13 carries (7.5 avg) including Carolina’s only touchdown – a 38-yard burst in the first quarter that briefly gave them hope.
Unfortunately, even his strong showing included a lost fumble that killed a promising drive. Ball security issues have hurt Carolina all season and continued Sunday.
Panthers Passing Game: Nothing Special
Carolina’s receivers couldn’t generate consistent separation against Chicago’s secondary.
Undrafted rookie Jalen Coker surprisingly led the team with 4 catches for 68 yards, including a 31-yard grab that was one of Carolina’s few explosive plays all day.
Jonathan Mingo added 2 catches for 37 yards, while Miles Sanders contributed 2 receptions for 27 yards. Diontae Johnson, acquired to be a go-to target, managed just 3 catches for 23 yards despite 6 targets.
The Panthers passing game simply lacked the firepower needed to overcome the deficit they faced most of the game.
Game-Changers: Players Who Made the Difference
These six players had the biggest impact on Sunday’s outcome:
| Player | Team | Key Stats | Game Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caleb Williams | Bears | 304 yds, 2 TDs | Masterful control of offense |
| DJ Moore | Bears | 105 yds, 2 TDs | Burned former team repeatedly |
| Kevin Byard | Bears | 5 tackles, 1 INT | Changed momentum with takeaway |
| Tremaine Edmunds | Bears | 4 tackles, 1 FF | Created critical turnover |
| Chuba Hubbard | Panthers | 97 yds, 1 TD | Carolina’s only consistent threat |
| Trevin Wallace | Panthers | 10 tackles | Defensive leader in tough situation |
Turnover Battle: The Game’s Deciding Factor
Football games often come down to who protects the ball better, and this one was no exception.
Chicago’s +3 turnover margin (3 takeaways, 0 giveaways) might be the most important stat from Sunday’s game.
The Bears turned those takeaways into 14 points, while Carolina’s giveaways killed three promising drives. The Panthers simply couldn’t overcome this disparity, especially given their offensive limitations.
“You just can’t give away possessions like that against a good team,” Carolina coach Canales admitted afterward.
The Bears Are Winning That 2023 Trade
Sunday’s game only reinforced how differently that massive 2023 trade has played out for these franchises.
Chicago received:
- Multiple picks that helped land their franchise QB
- DJ Moore, who just dominated his former team
Carolina received:
- The #1 pick used on Young
- A quarterback now backing up a veteran journeyman
The reactions around the league earlier this season questioned Chicago’s direction, but performances like Sunday’s are quickly silencing critics.
Looking Ahead
For Chicago, this win continues their upward trajectory with Williams looking more comfortable each week. The balanced offense and opportunistic defense give Bears fans real hope for a playoff push.
Carolina leaves with more problems than solutions, particularly at quarterback. The Panthers face tough questions about Young’s future and whether the massive price they paid to acquire him was worth it.
The Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears Match Player Stats from October 6th, 2024 showed a Chicago team on the rise while Carolina continues struggling to find an identity.
Fan Questions Answered
Which quarterback played better in the Bears-Panthers game?
No contest here – Caleb Williams completely outshined both Panthers QBs with 304 yards, 2 TDs, no turnovers and a 126.2 rating. Carolina’s combined QB stats were just 194 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT.
How did DJ Moore perform in his revenge game?
Moore made Carolina regret trading him by catching 5 passes for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns. His big-play ability was on full display with a 21-yard average per catch.
Will Bryce Young return to starting soon?
Doesn’t look like it. Coach Canales confirmed after the game that Dalton remains the starter despite his struggles. Young’s brief appearance was described as “protecting Dalton” behind an injured line and getting Young some live reps.
Who was the game’s top rusher?
Chuba Hubbard led all runners with 97 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries (7.5 yards per carry), though his lost fumble damaged an otherwise strong performance.
How much did turnovers matter?
They were decisive. Chicago’s +3 turnover margin directly produced 14 points while stopping multiple Carolina drives. In a game decided by 26 points, those turnovers were a major factor.
What does this game tell us about the future of both teams?
The Bears appear to have their franchise quarterback and a balanced team built for long-term success. The Panthers face serious questions about their quarterback situation and whether the trade for Young will go down as one of the most lopsided in NFL history.
