Bears squeak past Panthers in NFL basement battle

The Chicago Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-13 thanks to a third quarter touchdown from running back D'Onta Foreman.

Although the highlight of the game came in the first quarter, when Carolina wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored an evasive 79-yard touchdown from a punt return.

The touchdown put the Panthers up 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Two second quarter field goals from Chicago and one to Carolina inched the game to 10-9 at half-time.

Foreman’s four-yard touchdown in the third quarter gave the Bears a six-point advantage, with a Panthers field goal in the fourth quarter the only points scored after the touchdown.

Both teams sat in the bottom five teams in the NFL before the match, with the Panthers to next play the Arizona Cardinals, with both sitting on one win and eight losses.

Chicago’s Foreman had 80 yards from 21 carries to go with his touchdown, while quarterback Tyson Bagent threw for 162 yards.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette takes one back against his former team