CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers were supposed to have a good defense. 

It all starts with defensive tackle Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn.

And then they added linebacker Devin Lloyd and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.

But the Bears defense knows better. 

They experienced firsthand what type of wrath awaits opposing defenses this season after contending with quarterback Caleb Williams, receivers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Kalif Raymond, tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet and running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai throughout training camp at Halas Hall. 

“I’m happy to see that somebody else got a taste of it,” cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said. 

And it surely didn’t taste good.

Ben Johnson’s Bears offense made history with its 59-37 drubbing of the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The 59 points set a new franchise record for points scored in a season opener. It’s the second-most points scored by a team in an opener in NFL history. And it also became the third-highest point total ever in team history. 

“The defense, we knew what they were capable of,” rookie safety Dillon Thieneman said. “We go against them every day, but just to see what the (offensive) line and Swift and what Caleb were doing, it was incredible.”

It just didn’t end. 

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