Bears

Now there is a good chance San Francisco will go with two players, Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford, who have never started a game in the NFL.

It will be fascinating to see how the defense handles this situation. With him out of the picture, it will make life harder trying to find open targets. Kittle being out of the picture is a massive blow to the 49ers. They want to avenge that embarrassment while reminding all the so-called experts this group is still fully capable of playing good football. Needless to say, the defense has every reason to be motivated for this game. It was one of the worst late-game meltdowns experienced by such a talented and proud unit in a long time.

The 49ers have had some odd season openers. They have to avoid that to escape an upset in Chicago.

The Niners got complacent in the second half of a Lions game in which they pulled their defensive starters and almost paid the price. That served as a lesson to the Niners not to rest on their laurels in Week 1, and they should not look to take any chances even against a Chicago team over which they look to have a substantial edge. An underwhelming start would also pile early pressure on Lance with Garoppolo looming as a potential alternative to whom the Niners could return.

Everything you need to know as the Chicago Bears begin the 2022 season against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field.

[Bears promise ‘first-class experience’ for fans](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-bears-domed-stadium-presentation-arlington-heights-20220908-5lqsci3rqza3tkk4wejn4hm5ai-story.html)during stadium meeting in Arlington Heights [Will the Bears leave Soldier Field?](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-soldier-field-arlington-heights-liststory-20211001-owp3umg4b5e6nnducymdcldmsa-list.html)Here’s what to know. [Bears show renderings for enclosed stadium complex](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-bears-new-stadium-plans-arlington-heights-20220906-gziy3irinfcxvjd2jwymqo4hxe-story.html)in Arlington Heights [Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveils Soldier Field dome plan](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-bears-soldier-field-dome-lightfoot-pitch-20220725-dvxyufcsgzbctd4wzlbqy2xl6q-story.html), among 3 proposals to keep Bears from departing for Arlington Heights [What would a potential new Bears stadium be like?](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-soldier-field-new-stadiums-20211111-d6r7rwv3tjep5csyobvnclqjge-list.html)Here’s a look at the 7 newest NFL stadiums, from capacity to best amenities. [Read more here](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-george-mccaskey-ted-phillips-20220909-7tshaesgsvb4vkqa6vwnia3z7y-story.html). [Ted Phillips, the Bears President and CEO](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-ted-phillips-20220902-l37m344jmff77dzwvayhkza7ru-story.html), plans to retire at the end of the 2022 season [A Bears move would be a ‘win-win’ to many](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-village-reaction-20210929-cwnehdyrwbbz5aidcwwnyoiqka-story.html). [A Bears move may leave thousands](https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-bears-psl-soldier-field-arlington-heights-stadium-20211102-jddhd4yt7jd2xmdno7efhxk7hy-story.html)of fans with worthless Soldier Field seat licenses [What are the costs if the Bears bail](https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-bears-arlington-heights-soldier-field-finances-20210929-jizbnhkhhfcvno4acbu66skhq4-story.html)on Chicago for Arlington Heights? [George McCaskey doesn’t ‘anticipate any change in the structure’](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-president-ted-phillips-replacement-20220910-d633oucobnbxpdkabnvh42jyge-story.html)as the Bears look for a new team president. [What Alex Leatherwood becomes for the Bears](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-alex-leatherwood-teven-jenkins-20220902-ucm5mhmnpzcf3jvttlwz3oyfjm-story.html)is just another question on an offensive line loaded with them [Bears are closer to full strength at wide receiver](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-byron-pringle-velus-jones-20220905-aa5gbwlbw5b7vaejgnxb37nfga-story.html). [battle of 2021 first-round quarterbacks](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-justin-fields-quarterback-class-20220910-abpy6lfqdrbwzg5oxmntvustra-story.html) Trey Lance, whom the 49ers drafted No. [Bears Q&A with Brad Biggs](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-mailbag-justin-fields-rankings-20220907-kqrdxcgi2bavtmdslo4ujmhzvq-story.html): Why is the team at the bottom of NFL power rankings? [What’s the best way to describe GM Ryan Poles’ 1st roster?](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-ryan-poles-ted-phillips-20220905-xi7323tq5nh3llxbxvfgguzve4-story.html)5 questions entering Week 1. [5 things to watch in the Bears season opener](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-san-francisco-49ers-week-1-20220909-spni7qgio5hlxgsuekreqrfpcy-story.html)— plus our Week 1 picks [Can Bears bring back the Peanut Punch and the Chicago takeaway machine?](https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-chicago-bears-peanut-punch-charles-tillman-20220904-se4bm2fv7vdxvejrhihpq2mpeq-story.html)Charles Tillman gives some tips on how to make it happen.

Devin Hester had a tremendous amount of success at Soldier Field, but he admits he's a little jealous of the new field turf.

At the end of the day, I’m playing on it, the defender is playing on it, there’s no excuse. The FanDuel FanFest is a one-day festival that brings together fans of sports and music to have a one-of-a-kind experience. Hester had 11 of his NFL record of 20 return touchdowns at Soldier Field so it wasn’t much of a hinderance to his success. At the end of the day, we’re both playing on it.” Hester competed with former teammate Matt Forte in a tic-tac-toe game where each person had to throw footballs in the corresponding spaces to win. It has been regarded as one of the worst playing surfaces in the NFL and players have constantly slipped and slid when trying to make a cut or tackle.

In-game reporting and analysis from Soldier Field where the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers open the season.

- George Kittle absence is huge but not unexpected. - The real problem will be the next game, and what's left of this turf when they are done. - Three of the Bears inactives haven't even been with the team long enough to have the offense or defense down.

A live blog of the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 game against the Chicago Bears updated frequently with information and analysis.

But if somehow the 49ers lose this game and start the season 0-1, perhaps the 49ers would feel pressure to play Kittle next week just to make sure they don't start 0-2. So if they beat the Bears and start the season 1-0, they'll have no urgency to play Kittle next week against the Seahawks, who are even worse than the Bears. This seems like the kind of game that could feature lots of fumbles and turnovers and blocked punts and kicks.

Let's hope for no surprises today. The 49ers are heavy favorites against the Bears in their season-opener. We'll see if tight end George Kittle plays or not ...

I’d cautiously project this game to go under the total, with the score something like 49ers 23, Bears 14. [49ers](https://www.ninersnation.com/) are heavy favorites against the Bears in their season-opener. You’ll get the 49ers/Bears game if you're located in the red-tint. [Per Eric Branch](https://twitter.com/Eric_Branch/status/1568783780655284224) of The San Francisco Chronicle, Kittle isn’t expected to dress. [DraftKings SportsBook](https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/football/88670561?category=game-lines&subcategory=game&wpcid=163147&wpcn=HowtoWatchContent&wpcrid=NFL&wpsrc=Vox) [Chicago Bears](https://www.windycitygridiron.com/) (0-0)