Proclaimed by many as potentially being “the worst team in the NFL,” the Chicago Bears sent a message with an upset win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
Do you hear something?
Crickets.
The sound of rushing rainwater.
All the sounds that the Chicago Bears want to hear right now. Peace and Quiet.
Before Week One against the San Francisco 49ers, the doom and gloom sounds were blasted through airhorns, radio stations, and televisions. The Bears were supposed to be the worst team in the league, according to Dianna Russini. Justin Fields should demand a trade, said Domonique Foxworth. Mike Martz, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, the list was impeccable. Deeper than a Lou Malnati’s Large Deep Dish.
Right now? 19-10 Bears. Chicago is 1-0, and San Francisco is 0-1. Nothing but shock and silence. No words, just excuses. Foxworth especially.
The Chicago Bears sent a message of not being a pushover to the league and the San Francisco 49ers in Week One.
For the record, no one said the Bears would be in the Super Bowl. The players didn’t even go that far. They just wanted some respect, and frankly, much to the chagrin of those who called them out, they most certainly earned it, but it took a while.
For the entire first half, the Bears looked dead in the water, no pun intended. The new Bermuda Grass installed at Solider Field was drenched so quickly and violently that you would have thought it would be a repeat of the Kansas City Tampa Bay monsoon game from 1979.
Looked like it, given the way the game was played. But it was indeed a tale of two halves and a story of a young quarterback who seems to have this city’s heart on his new captain patch and within his jersey. That would be one Justin Fields.
Two touchdown passes in the second half to Dante Pettis and Equinameous St.Brown, the wide receivers that were supposedly not good enough, were all the points the Bears would need to overcome the 10-point deficit they opened up the game with. Khalil Herbert would add the other score.
Deebo Samuel’s second-quarter touchdown on a sweep and Robbie Gould’s field goal created a 10-point lead that seemed insurmountable at one point. Plus, the Bears found themselves on the end of a rather inauspicious penalty by punter Trenton Gill. That and Cairo Santos inexplicably missing PATs.
Ultimately it didn’t matter. What mattered was the difference in penalties committed by both sides—12 for San Francisco and three for Chicago. Under the Matt Nagy era, that stat might have been the reverse, but give credit to Matt Eberflus for getting his first win as Bears head coach, making second-half adjustments against Kyle Shanahan, and coming away with a victory.
Also, the Bears’ defense deserves their props for making life uncomfortable for Trey Lance. Eddie Jackson got a pick, Dominique Robinson recorded 1.5 sacks, Jaquan Brisker and Jaylon Johnson teamed up for a fumbled force and recovery, and the team held Lance to 164 yards passing. Lance may have thrown for more yards than Fields, but the two touchdown passes made the difference.
Still, it’s only Week One, there’s a lot to unpack, and Chicago has a date with Green Bay next Sunday Night in Lambeau, where they haven’t won since John Fox spoiled Brett Favre night. Also, this season is more about Justin Fields and his development.
Can he be the guy for this team? In essence, can he be the first 4,000-yard passer in Bears history? 121 yards passing in a Week One victory is fine, but 4,000 should be the goal.
However, you can’t underestimate just how much this particular win meant to Fields, this team, and their fans, evidenced by the players sliding across the turf when the final buzzer sounded.
Just imagine what happens if they somehow go into Green Bay next week and win after the pundits say it won’t happen. They might have to create a new celebration.