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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 1

By Gil Alcaraz IV

NFL Predictions, NFL Picks, Tom Brady, Buccaneers - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
NFL Predictions, NFL Picks, Tom Brady, Buccaneers - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images /
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NFL Picks, Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers – Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images /

San Francisco 49ers (0-0) at Chicago Bears (0-0)

Sunday, September 11, 1PM ET

This is going to be an interesting season for the San Francisco 49ers, a team that has the tools to be a contender but could easily fail to meet expectations. One of the main wild cards is Trey Lance, who I’m still not convinced is the answer to the 49ers’ questions at quarterback.

With that said, the Chicago Bears have their own problems that make this a favorable matchup for San Francisco. Even on the road, the 49ers have more than enough talent on both sides of the ball to keep the Bears in check. The Chicago offense has the potential to be one of the worst in the NFL this season, between the uncertainty surrounding Justin Fields and the lackluster front five.

Even if Lance struggles, I don’t see the Bears being able to slow down the 49ers’ wide array of offensive weapons. Deebo Samuel has quickly emerged as one of the league’s top offensive playmakers, and a healthy Elijah Mitchell should be ready to take advantage of Chicago’s uninspiring defensive front.

I’m still skeptical about Lance and his ability to run the show effectively, but this will at least be a good ramp-up game for him. Chicago gets run over in Week 1 as the 49ers look to prove they’re capable of coming away from this season with the NFC West crown.

Prediction: 49ers win 28-13

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