Draft Kings: Bears Win in Crime-Time 🚔

11/10/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Bears Beat Panthers (16-13) in Draft-Pick Game on Thursday Night Snooze-Ball

The latest Thursday Night Football game was yet another crime in primetime (on Amazon Prime). Last night’s battle of two hopeless teams — hopeless for at least for the 2023 season — came down to a defensive stop by the Bears that earned them a 16-13 win over the Panthers. Only two touchdowns were scored over 60 minutes, including one punt return TD for Carolina’s only offensive house call. Neither quarterback, Bryce Young or Tyson Bagent, cracked the end zone or the 200-yard mark. And by night’s end, I couldn’t find one statistical standout that earned a spot in our “top performers” category (maybe one, if I had to). The Bears defensive unit earned the win with three sacks.

Top Performers: None

(Maybe) RB D. Foreman (CHI): 23 touches, 92 yards, 1 TD

Jockeying for the Draft

The only real takeaway point from the TNF aftermath was the too-soon-to-call draft implications for Chicago. In case you forgot, the Bears actually own the Panthers’ 1st-round pick in next year’s draft as the result of Carolina trading up with Chicago for the No. 1 pick last April. So last night was a win-win for Chicago when it comes draft positioning. After the TNF result, the 2024 NFL Draft order has the Bears with two top-5 picks.

Current 2024 NFL Draft Order

1. Panthers (1-8) — Pick Traded to Bears

2. Cardinals (1-8)

3. Giants (2-7)

4. Patriots (2-7)

5. Bears (3-7)

One offensive touchdown. One special teams touchdown. Five field goals. A crime in primetime.

Watch: Bears Hold Off Panthers (16-13)

B/R: Bryce Young Isn’t a Bust, But Panthers Must Find a Way to Spark Growth

Photo: Quinn Harris / Getty Images