Bears vs 49ers: Keys to a Chicago Victory

The Chicago Bears kick off the 2022 NFL season with an intriguing matchup: a home game against the San Francisco 49ers. This game has all the makings of the perfect litmus test for the new-look Bears. The 49ers are a very good team, but not a world-beater like the Buffalo Bills or the defending champions Los Angeles Rams. It’s at home, which means San Francisco has to make a 2,500 mile flight to get to the game. And the 49ers quarterback situation is even hazier than Chicago’s.

A win against San Francisco at home is within reach for the Bears, and if they pull it off, they will provide proof that this team is not the same one the league watched last year. The doubters in mainstream sports media will be left making lame excuses for the 49ers or will be forced to admit that the Bears might be okay.

But first they need to get that win, and there are 3 keys to doing that.

Stop the Run

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan loves to run the ball, and he’s got most of the ingredients necessary to have a dominant run game. The big question mark is San Francisco’s interior offensive line. Everyone knows left tackle Trent Williams is the best in the business, but nobody to the right of him is a proven commodity.

Expect the Bears to rotate the defensive tackle position frequently to keep fresh run stuffers going throughout the game. Chicago lacks a true stud at this position, but they have several very good options: starters Angelo Blackson and Justin Jones, followed by Mike Pennel Jr. and newcomer Armon Watts (who terrorized the 49ers last year with Minnesota).

If the Bears can consistently keep the 49ers to 2nd-and-long and 3rd-and-long, that will force the inexperienced Trey Lance into difficult situations, which should lead to takeaways for the secondary and short fields for the offense.

Win the Turnover Battle

Justin Fields’ greatest weakness last year was ball security. That was okay for a rookie who runs a lot, but it’s something he has to clean up this year. In a game that should be decided by whichever team has the better starting field position, Fields can’t afford to put the ball on the ground.

Likewise, another problem for the Bears last year was dropped passes turning into interceptions. If Fields hits his receivers in the hands with his passes, they must come down with the catch. It’s especially true this week against a roster as loaded with talent as San Francisco’s.

With a revamped secondary and the new culture brewing in Chicago, and facing an inexperienced young quarterback making a road trip to Soldier Field, I expect at least two takeaways from the defense, which should be enough to win the turnover battle.

Score Three Touchdowns

Last year’s game between these two teams was a festival of field goals: three for the Bears and four for the 49ers. The difference was the Bears had just two touchdowns to San Francisco’s three. Field goals won’t win many football games, you need touchdowns.

For this matchup, three touchdowns and at least one, maybe two, Cairo Santos field goal should be enough to win the game. I don’t see the Bears’ defense giving up 24 points to many teams, not at home, and especially not one led by an young quarterback who has so far underwhelmed.

So, who wins the game? I’m calling for a Bears victory: 27 to 17. Justin Fields will be efficient and throw for two touchdowns (David Montgomery runs in the third) while Trey Lance turns the ball over at least once in the red zone, which ends up being the big difference maker.

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