Week 1 served up some wild action, and Chicago coach Ben Johnson pulled back the curtain on why his Bears kept the pedal to the metal in their absolute demolition of the Carolina Panthers, routing them 59-37. This wasn’t just a big win, it was the highest-scoring Week 1 performance in franchise history for Chicago, and Johnson made it clear that taking their foot off the gas simply wasn’t an option.
Why You Don’t Let Up in a Blowout
Think about this: the Bears were up 45-31 after a third-quarter touchdown run from Kyle Monangai. Most teams might coast from there. Not Johnson’s squad. They tacked on two more scores in the fourth quarter, showing no mercy. Johnson explained his mindset directly, stating, “Anytime you’re still within a couple of scores there in the fourth quarter, the game is still on, and so we needed that.” He even mentioned wanting to “finish the game with the ball,” which led to D’Andre Swift scoring late.
It wasn’t just about padding stats. Johnson gave serious credit to Carolina, acknowledging their history of fourth-quarter comebacks from last season. That fear, that respect for an opponent’s resilience, was clearly front of mind for his coaching staff. “We went into the game with a lot of respect for how well they could play in the fourth quarter,” Johnson said, “They had a number of games a year ago where the quarterback and the offense found a way to come back and win from behind; that was just something that was on our mind going into the game. We knew we couldn’t let off the gas.” That kind of strategic thinking in a blowout is a good look for a head coach, making sure his team doesn’t get complacent.
Ravens’ Receiving Corps Takes a Nasty Hit
Over in Baltimore, the Ravens’ receiving corps just got a lot thinner, and it’s a brutal blow for their offense. Rookie wideout Ja’Kobi Lane is expected to undergo surgery for a fractured wrist as early as Wednesday, a procedure that could sideline him for close to a month. According to reports, the Ravens have not even ruled out an injured reserve designation for the 21-year-old third-round pick out of USC. Lane, who was expected to be a real red-zone weapon alongside Zay Flowers after a standout college career, saw his NFL debut cut short in Week 1 against the Colts.
This injury compounds an already banged-up receiver room for Baltimore. Zay Flowers is also dealing with a hamstring injury, though coach Minter described his status as “day-to-day.” Lane’s extended absence means Rashod Bateman, Chris Moore, and Elijah Sarratt will all be pushed up the depth chart. Losing a talent like Lane, especially one projected for crucial red-zone work, is a tough pill to swallow for an offense trying to find its rhythm.
Meanwhile, there was some relief out of Kansas City. Chiefs rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane appears to have avoided a long-term injury after making a big play against the Denver Broncos. You always love to see good news on the injury front when a young player steps up early.
The Bears, fresh off their historic Week 1 showing, will face an early test when they play their NFC North division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, in their home opener this Sunday. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain that offensive firepower. For the Ravens, the focus shifts to how their remaining receivers step up to fill the void left by Lane, with Flowers’ health being a key storyline to watch this week.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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