The Chicago Bears open the 2026 NFL season in Carolina to take on the reigning NFC South champion Carolina Panthers. They'll be eager to show that last season was no fluke, and Panthers are their first step in that endeavor. Luckily for the Bears, history is on their side in the matchup. They have an all-time record against the Panthers of 9-4, and they're currently riding a four-game winning streak dating back to 2017. Carolina hasn't beaten Chicago since the 2014 campaign.The Panthers also tend to stumble out of the gates to start the year. They boast a pristine 1-6 record in season openers since 2018, with their only win coming in 2021 over the lowly (and eventual 4-13) New York Jets. All things considered, it was a relatively soft landing spot for Chicago after one of their most improbable seasons in franchise history.Carolina might've shown flashes of being contenders last season (specifically in both matchups against the Rams), but they're far from world beaters. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Bears are currently 3-point favorites entering the matchup. The vast majority of early money is on Chicago, as well.Do the experts agree with the degenerate gamblers over in Vegas? (I can call them that because I, too, am one of them.)Expert predictionsJerry Markarian, BearsOnSI: Chicago BearsGene Chamberlain, BearsOnSI: Chicago BearsIain McMillan, SI: Carolina PanthersAlbert Breer, SI: Chicago BearsEva Geitheim, SI: Chicago BearsMitch Goldich, SI: Chicago BearsMike Kadlick, SI: Chicago BearsGilberto Manzano, SI: Chicago BearsConor Orr, SI: Chicago BearsJohn Pluym, SI: Carolina PanthersMatt Verderame, SI: Chicago BearsJeremy Bergman, NFL.com: Carolina PanthersBrooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Carolina PanthersGenaro Filice, NFL.com: Chicago BearsBobby Kownack, NFL.com: Chicago BearsDan Parr, NFL.com: Chicago BearsMatt Bowen, ESPN: Chicago BearsJeremy Fowler, ESPN: Chicago BearsDan Graziano, ESPN: Chicago BearsBenjamin Solak, ESPN: Chicago BearsSeth Wickersham, ESPN: Chicago BearsLindsey Thiry, ESPN: Chicago BearsJason Reid, ESPN: Chicago BearsEric Moody, ESPN: Chicago BearsPamela Maldonado, ESPN: Chicago BearsKalyn Kahler, ESPN: Chicago BearsMike Clay, ESPN: Chicago BearsMike Florio, PFT: Chicago BearsGary Davenport, BR: Chicago BearsMoe Moton, BR: Chicago BearsBrad Gagnon, BR: Chicago BearsKris Knox, BR: Chicago BearsBrent Sobleski, BR: Chicago BearsWes O'Donnell, BR: Chicago BearsIan Hanford, BR: Chicago BearsPete Prisco, CBSSports: Chicago BearsJared Dubin, CBSSports: Chicago BearsRyan Wilson, CBSSports: Chicago BearsTyler Sulivan, CBSSports: Chicago BearsDave Richard, CBSSports: Chicago BearsJamey Eisenberg, CBSSports: Chicago BearsAdam Kaufman, USAToday: Chicago BearsTom Viera, USAToday: Carolina Panthers (at +2.5 spread)Richard Morin, USAToday: Chicago BearsConsensus: 39-5 in favor of the BearsGame odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call1-800-GAMBLER.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow