NEWSLETTER
If Justin Fields is ready, then I am ready.
The time has come to turn over a new leaf:
Fields’ praise of first-year play-caller Luke Getsy in the video above is a reminder that the new offensive coordinator is as important to the Bears’ future success as the quarterback is moving forward.
We realize Fields was far from perfect last year. The second-year quarterback is still a work in progress. A toolsy work in progress. One who appears ready to lead. But nevertheless, still a work in progress. Getsy was brought in to help get the best out of Fields. He has refined mechanics and is coming off a preseason finale that was as good as it gets.
But now, it is time to take everything that was learned in the offseason and put it to use in a regular season game. We won’t be putting a final grade on Fields after one game. But instead, we consider this the first of many tests. This is where the fun begins.
Game Info and Coverage Maps
San Francisco 49ers (2021: 10-7, 3rd NFC) at Chicago Bears (2021: 6-11, 3rd NFC North) – FOX (Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, & Pam Oliver), WBBM 780 AM, 105.9 FM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote); In Spanish 1200 AM, 93.5 FM (Omar Ramos, Miguel Esparza), Compass Media Radio (Mike Morgan, Chad Brown)
Kickoff time: Noon CT
Site: Soldier Field, Chicago
Referee: Clay Martin
Odds: Bears +6.5 (-110), O/U 38.5 (via DraftKings Sports Book)
Game Thread (Week 1 Preview)
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun. And, hopefully, we can do this for 16 more games (and playoffs?)
Hype Video
Coaches
Bears Matt Eberflus (0-0) vs. 49ers Kyle Shanahan (39-42)
Starting Quarterbacks and Projected Game Stats
BEARS: Justin Fields: 21/33, 226 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 36 rushing yards
versus
49ers: Trey Lance: 17/27, 276 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 2 carries, 6 rushing yards
Projected stats via ESPN projections
Chicago Bears Projected Starters
Offense
• QB Justin Fields
• RB David Montgomery
• WRs Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown
• TE Cole Kmet
• LT Braxton Jones, LG Cody Whitehair, C Sam Mustipher, RG Lucas Patrick, RT Larry Borom
Defense
• LDE Al-Quadin Muhammad, LDT Angelo Blackson, RDT Justin Jones, RDE Robert Quinn
• SAM Nicholas Morrow, MIKE Matt Adams, WILL Roquan Smith
• LCB Jaylon Johnson, RCB Kyler Gordon
• FS Eddie Jackson, SS Jaquan Brisker
Specialists
• Cairo Santos (kicker), Trenton Gill (punter, holder), Patrick Scales (long snapper), Khalil Herbert, Velus Jones Jr. (kick and punt returns) (if he is healthy, of course)
Bears Inactives
San Francisco 49ers Projected Starters
Offense
• QB Trey Lance
• RB Elijah Mitchell
• WR Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk
• TE George Kittle Charlie Woerner
• LT Trent Williams, LG Aaron Banks, C Jake Brendel, RG Spencer Burford, RT Mike McGlinchey
Defense
• LDE Samson Ebukam, LDT Javon Kinlaw, RDT Arik Armstead, RDE Nick Bosa
• WLB Dre Greenlaw, MLB Fred Warner, SLB Azeez Al-Shaair
• LCB Emmanuel Moseley, RCB Chavarius Ward
• FS George Odom, SS Talanoa Hufanga
Specialists
• Robbie Gould (kicker), Mitch Wishnowsky (punter, holder), Taybor Pepper (long snapper), Ray-Ray McCloud III (kick and punt returns)
