Bears surge into NFL.com's top 10 after historic Week 1 win

NFL.com's Nick Shook moved the Bears up three spots to No. 8 in his Week 2 power rankings following Chicago's explosive 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The Bears were No. 11 entering Week 1.

Considering what Ben Johnson's offense did in Charlotte, the jump isn't surprising.

"After one week, the Bears are on pace" to challenge the offensive records Johnson has talked about pursuing, Shook wrote, pointing to Chicago's dominant running game and Caleb Williams' playmaking as reasons for the move.

Bears offense immediately lived up to the hype

There were enormous expectations surrounding Williams and the Bears offense entering Year 2 in Johnson's system. Week 1 somehow exceeded them.

Chicago's 59 points were the most the Bears have ever scored in a season opener and tied for the second-most by any NFL team in a season opener. The Bears also generated 552 total yards, another franchise record for Week 1.

Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 65 yards and two scores. He finished with a 124.1 passer rating and became the first player in NFL history to hit all of those passing, rushing, completion-percentage, and passer-rating benchmarks in the same game without committing a turnover.

The running game was just as ridiculous.

D'Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns, while Kyle Monangai needed only 10 carries to reach 100 yards. Chicago finished with 291 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, tying a franchise record.

NFL.com still sees one major Bears concern

Shook didn't completely buy into the Bears as a Super Bowl or bust team. His concern remains Chicago's defense.

"The one drawback: They gave up 37 points," Shook wrote, adding that the defense "still might be a persistent weakness."

Again, it's hard to argue.

Carolina totaled 478 yards and repeatedly exposed Chicago's defense before the Bears finally created separation late in the third quarter. The game was tied 31-31 with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter before Chicago scored three consecutive touchdowns.

The defense produced three takeaways, including rookie Malik Muhammad II intercepting Bryce Young just before halftime, while Devin Bush recovered a Tetairoa McMillan fumble forced by Jaylon Johnson.

Still, allowing 37 points won't be a sustainable formula against the NFL's better teams.

Bears get an immediate opportunity to justify No. 8 ranking

Chicago won't have to wait long to prove its Week 1 explosion wasn't simply the product of playing Carolina. The Bears host the 1-0 Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in Week 2, their first NFC North game of the season.

The Bears already proved in Week 1 that Johnson's offense could be every bit as explosive as advertised. Williams looked dynamic, the running game was overwhelming, and Chicago produced one of the greatest season-opening offensive performances in franchise history.

Now the defense has to catch up. If it does, No. 8 might not be Chicago's ceiling in these rankings.