4 takeaways from Bears’ Week 1 win over 49ers

The Chicago Bears pulled off one of Week 1’s biggest upsets with their 19-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The rainy conditions at Soldier Field resulted in some sloppy offense at times, but Bears quarterback Justin Fields made timely big plays in the second half to catapult Chicago to a 1-0 record.

Here are four takeaways from the Bears’ impressive opening-day win.

Justin Fields’ athleticism is why Bears won

The Chicago Bears offensive line wasn’t great Sunday against the 49ers. There were several breakdowns in pass protection that, for a traditional stationary quarterback, would’ve resulted in sacks. However, Fields isn’t a traditional quarterback, and he proved it against the 49ers.

For most QBs, this is either a throw away or a checkdown.

Justin Fields’ athleticism allows him to extend the play, and his movement stretches the defense and gets Dante Pettis open. #Bears pic.twitter.com/20nw9aV1y1

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) September 11, 2022

Fields’ final box score wasn’t great — he went 8-of-17, 121 yards, two touchdowns (one interception) and added 28 rushing yards. But it was the plays he made (like the one above) that proved even when everything is failing around him, he’s capable of putting the Bears on his shoulders and leading them to victory.

The 49ers have one of the better pass rushes in the NFC, making it a great sign that Fields was able to weather the storm (figuratively and literally.) He was the reason why Chicago is celebrating this week.

Bears playmakers did just enough vs. 49ers

Prior to Sunday’s game, the assumption was that Chicago’s passing game would funnel through wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet. They combined to finish the game with one catch for eight yards. They were targeted a total of four times.

From that surprising stat line is some good news: Dante Pettis stepped up with a 51-yard touchdown, and Equanimeous St. Brown turned his one catch into an 18-yard score. No Bears receivers put up big numbers, but if Sunday proved anything, Chicago has enough competent depth at the position to compensate in games when Mooney is completely shut down.

Equanimeous St. Brown has more touchdowns (1) then the entire packers offense (0)pic.twitter.com/6et9ZBtTXI

— ? (@AYOD0SUNMU) September 11, 2022

No receiver on Chicago’s roster had more than one reception. Running back David Montgomery led the team with three catches. The weather certainly contributed to the poor stat line, but Sunday was likely the first of many games this year that will require unexpected pass-catchers to step up and make big plays.

Dominique Robinson emerges as legitimate pass-rusher

The Chicago Bears selected Miami (OH) pass-rusher Dominique Robinson in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the expectation he’d use this season to develop into a more refined defender in time for 2023 and beyond. In Week 1 against the 49ers, he looked like the best pass-rusher on the Bears’ roster.

Former QB-WR Dominique Robinson with quick and strong hands for his first sack as a #bears rookie pic.twitter.com/A3WYWXD1o4

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 12, 2022

Robinson ended the game with seven tackles and a team-leading 1.5 sacks. He was disruptive off the edge and certainly earned the right for more reps as the weeks march on.

The Matt Eberflus effect is real

We heard all offseason about Eberflus’ H.I.T.S. philosophy, and in Week 1 against the 49ers, the Bears proved its worth. Chicago played with intensity, forced takeaways, and were the smarter team. There’s a very real culture developing inside Halas Hall.

Just the beginning pic.twitter.com/gRMBBllTni

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 12, 2022

Sure, it’s only one game. Sure, Trey Lance and the 49ers aren’t the kind of test Week 2 will bring with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. But this Bears team is very different than the Nagy-led squads. They believe in their head coach and they believe in each other.

And they’re 1-0 because of it.

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