September 9, 2022: Week 1 Preview vs 49ers

The time has come… We got our first little fix of football on Thursday night as the Bills dispatched of the one-and-done Rams in front of a national TV audience. Bonus for Bears fans was seeing “the quitter” Allen Robinson do absolutely nothing; OK, he did catch one 12 yard pass. Good luck with Stafford and his elbow ARob. But that was just an appetizer. The main course is Sunday at noon at Soldier Field, as the Bears open their 2022 season hosting the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers are favored by 7 points; that’s it? The way the national talking heads are describing our team and how bad we will be, that line should be like 21 points, no? I mean, they were the NFC runners up last year. I just want to take this opportunity to thank them one more time for beating the Packers in the playoffs; brings a smile to my face. But now, they are our enemy; they will look a little different this time around with Trey Lance at QB. No more local boy Jimmy G making just enough plays with the help of Deebo to sink us last year. Now, we have essentially a rookie QB making his first start on the road. I guess that’s what kept that line in check…

Seriously though: young QB on the road in front of a packed house to start the season. Just for that alone, I like the Bears. There are other reasons. That large chip that has been placed on our shoulders thanks to the national media; have a feeling Eberflus will be shining a spotlight on that bad boy for as long as he can. That “magic chip” can’t play the game, but it can certainly help to motivate some dudes. A motivated team is a dangerous team IMO. So the young QB on the road vs a motivated team… is that enough to convince you that I’m not crazy about my excitement for the Bears in this one? How about the fact that the 49ers passed up Justin Fields in the draft to take this dude? This was brought up in a press conference earlier this week; Fields downplayed it. It was Mooney who actually mentioned it; he also had some comments along the lines of he couldn’t wait for the season to start and the playbook to be opened. All of this stuff is music to my ears. A QB looking to prove himself against a team that passed him in the draft; an offense that was just scratching the surface in the preseason. OK, how many points have I made now?

Don’t matter. It will be about the points scored on Sunday. It’s supposed to rain btw. The Niners have a solid defense; we just have that “motivated D”… People seem to forget that our defense ain’t that bad. Speaking about motivated, how about our best player Roquan Smith, playing in the final year of his rookie contract, looking to get paid next year (hopefully by us), playing within a system where another LB in Indianapolis under Eberflus thrived in… yeah, he won’t be underrated for much longer I have a feeling. So we’re saying low scoring game???

Final Score Prediction: Bears 20 49ers 16

Ace in the Hole: Justin Fields, 1 passing and 1 rushing TD

I have to give my boy Robbie Gould 3 FGs against us, but this time, it won’t be enough. Like any game any year, protecting the football will be critical. If there is one lesson Justin can learn this year, let it be that. If the throw ain’t there, don’t force it; use your legs… and slide if you can’t get out of bounds. If the offensive line can give him 1.25 more seconds in the pocket this year… I can’t wait to see this Bears team. I’m ready for them to shut everybody up, and win some games. It starts on Sunday. Bear Down!!!