The Bears defense stops Panther's quaterback Cam Newton on the goaline as he tries to run the ball in in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears running back Matt Forte celebrates his second quarter touchdown run as the Chicago Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-29 Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears punt returner Devin Hester runs back a 69-yard punt return for a second quarter touchdown during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bear Devin Hester flips after scoring on his NFL-record breaking 69-yard punt return in the first half of the Bears 34-29 win over the Panthers. Flip through the rest of the gallery for a picture recap of the game. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

PRE-GAME: The goalpost in the south endzone had to be re-righted before the game. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

1ST QUARTER 9:02: Matt Forte begins his big day with a 46-yard run to the Carolina 29. The play leads to a field goal and the game is tied 3-3. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears running back Matt Forte is stopped short of the goaline by Carolina safety Sherrod Martin in the fourth quarter as he gained 205 yards on the day. The Chicago Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-29 Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears safety Brandon Meriweather breaks up a pass intended for Panthers tight end Greg Olsen in the second half of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears cornerback D.J. Moore (30) scores on a pass interception of Panther's quaterback Cam Newton in the in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears running back Marion Barber celebrates his 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers 34-29 Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears special teams member Zackary Bowman watches as Bears punt returner Devin Hester flips after scoring on a 69-yard punt return in the first half of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Matt Forte's 205 yards rushing tied him for the second most in Bears' history. | Tom Cruze/Sun-Times Media

2ND QUARTER 14:44: Devin Hester ignites the Bears with a 73-yard kickoff return down to the Panthers' 36. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

2ND QUARTER 13:30: Matt Forte scores the Bears' first rushing touchdown of the season from 17 yards out. Bears lead 17-10. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler looks at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler looks at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is stopped short of the goal line as he ran the ball in the first quarter during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs stops Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart as he ran the ball in the first quarter during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hands off to running back Matt Forte in the second quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler sets to pass during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler sets to pass during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler passes the ball in the second quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is stopped short of the goal line as he ran the ball in the first quarter during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (L) and end Nick Reed combine to bring down Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs stops Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart as he ran the ball in the first quarter during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears end Nick Reed (L) and linebacker Lance Briggs combine to bring down Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (L) and end Nick Reed combine to bring down Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

1. If Jerry Angelo isn’t convinced the Bears need a ‘‘No. 1 receiver’’ after watching Steve Smith torch his defense for eight catches and 181 yards, he never will be. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears punt returner Devin Hester stiff arms Panthers kicker Olindo Mare in the Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011, at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Lovie Smith: Wear a Bears shirt and stand with your arms folded, staring at a clock looking utterly confused. Just when the party gets rocking, call a random timeout.

Bears running back Marion Barber celebrates after a first half running play gained yardage during the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

The Bears defense stops Panther's quaterback Cam Newton on the goaline as he tries to run the ball in in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

The Bears defense stops Panther's quaterback Cam Newton on the goaline as he tries to run the ball in in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears running back Matt Forte breaks away for his second quarter touchdown run as the Chicago Bears defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-29 Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hands off to running back Matt Forte in the second quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears safety Brandon Meriweather(C) and cornerback Tim Jennings brings down Carolina receiver Steve Smith after a catch in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is chased out of the pocket by Bears lineman Israel Idonije (71) in the second half of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler passes the ball in the second quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times