Instant Reactions: Chicago Bears record 16-13 win over Carolina Panthers in Tankathon Bowl

The Chicago Bears recorded their third victory of the season with a 16-13 win over the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Thursday night.

D’Onta Foreman scored the game’s only offensive touchdown midway through the third on a four-yard run that gave the Bears a 16-10 lead. The running back carried the ball 19 times for 77 yards.

The Panthers, meanwhile, scored their only touchdown of the night when former Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored on a 79-yard punt return in the first quarter. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young was limited to 185 passing yards on 21 of 38 passing. He was sacked three times.

The win runs the Bears record to 3-7 and 2-0 on Thursday nights. The team will be back in action November 19 when it travels to Detroit to face the Lions for the first time this season.

Here are our initial impressions about the win …

Adam Hoge

So what were the tricks up Matt Eberflus’ sleeve? Not going for two with a five-point lead? I’ll hang up and listen for my answer. At least that wasn’t as bad as Frank Reich calling for a 59-yard field goal that never had a prayer. Man, the Panthers are bad.

Nicholas Moreano

It wasn’t pretty, but the Bears held on to secure their third victory of the season. D’Onta Foreman scored the only offensive touchdown in the game. The Bears’ defense sacked Bryce Young three times and held the No. 1 overall pick to 185 passing yards. Chicago went from having five turnovers a week ago to zero against Carolina. The Bears will take the win however they can take, and now they have 10 days to prepare for the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions.

Will DeWitt

There weren’t many fireworks, but the Bears played a clean and solid game, which was good enough to secure their third win. They finally found some pass rush  on defense and look what happened – they held the Panthers’ offense out of the end zone. Shoutout to Kyler Gordon who made plays all over the field. He was very effective against the run, in coverage and even as a pass rusher. Beating the Panthers to help the draft pick they received must feel pretty sweet, too!

Greg Braggs Jr.

Thank you Football Gods! Last year the only glimmer of hope with this team was the fact that they got the N0. 1 pick in the draft. With Thursday’s win, the Bears look to have lightning strike twice. The Carolina Panthers could very well give the Bears a gift they desperately need. Long way to go but the Bears did what they had to do tonight …win. As far as what happened on the field? I’m choosing to focus on the draft stock and I’ll leave it at that.

Kevin Kaduk

We won’t remember this game for anything other than what impact it had on the Bears’ final draft position next spring. The good news is that it was a good result for the Bears as they kept the Panthers’ season win total at one and increased their chances at landing the No. 1 pick (though the Cardinals still currently own that spot). Shoutout to Tyson Bagent and the offense for recording a zero turnover game just four days after committing five giveaways in New Orleans.

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