Facts
The Chicago Bears beat Carolina 59-37 on September 13. It was the most points surrendered in Panthers history. Chicago amassed 552 yards, including 291 on the ground, and tied a franchise record with six rushing touchdowns. The Bears scored at least 14 points in every quarter, something they had not done since 1943.
Panthers linebacker Jaelan Phillips called the performance ugly and embarrassing, while also explaining that "sometimes good on good, you just get got."
Our Take
"Sometimes you just get got" works when a receiver wins a jump ball. It is less persuasive when the opponent spends four quarters driving a riding mower through your defensive front.
The Panthers finally produced 37 points, the kind of afternoon that should get an offense carried off the field on everyone's shoulders. Their defense responded by opening six drive-through lanes to the end zone and asking Chicago whether it wanted fries with that.
The Bears ran for 291 yards. After a while, Carolina's defenders were no longer tackling. They were providing curbside pickup.
Six rushing touchdowns is not a defensive scheme. It is a loyalty program. Punch the card five times and the sixth trip through the Panthers' secondary comes with a complimentary celebration dance.
There are technical explanations available. Bad gap discipline. Missed assignments. Poor leverage. Every coach owns enough laminated vocabulary to describe an ass-kicking without saying "ass-kicking." None changes the sight of Chicago scoring 14 or more points in every damn quarter.
Carolina's offense finally showed up wearing its good pants. The defense arrived carrying a leaf blower and spent the afternoon helping Chicago clear a path.
