The Chicago Bears opened their 2022 NFL season after a successful preseason under new coach Matthew Eberflus. Sunday's Week 1 result for Chicago was a very positive one: the Bears defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-10, a result that was an upset victory for the Bears.
In recapping the popular markets with bet365 sportsbook, the Bears hit at better than 2 to 1 in the game, Chicago's nine-point margin of victory was very comfortable given they had a +6.5-point handicap, and the UNDER hit in this game for total points (29 points UNDER 40.5). Both of our recommendations hit for this contest, although perhaps our NFL tipster was a little too conservative.
Is this Bears team going to be different?
But that conservative approach certainly extended from the fact that the Bears had a poor season last year. Furthermore, they were up against the team that Dan Hanzus at NFL.com had ranked 3rd in his preseason power rankings from a handful of days ago. The same power rankings saw Chicago ranked the lowest of the low at 32 out of 32 teams. Needless to say, the 19-10 result will see San Francisco tumble and Chicago rise when publications update their rankings on Tuesday.
Bettors cannot back a Trey Lance team
Neither quarterback in the game, whether Trey Lance of San Francisco or Justin Fields of Chicago, posted a strong statistical performance. Lance threw worse than 50% at just 13 for 28. He did not have a touchdown pass but he did throw an interception in the contest. This is a guy who looks well overrated at this early stage of his career.
Fields certainly wasn't amazing, however, he did throw two touchdown passes in leading his team on the comeback trail. With just eight completions, Fields threw for a lean 121 yards in the contest. If he played poorly in the first half, that will be forgotten because of the second half.
San Francisco did not have George Kittle's services for the contest. The tight end was a weekend scratch. Furthermore, receiver Deebo Samuel was not effective in the game (as a receiver) as he caught for just 14 yards. He did have a good rushing game with 8 carries for 52 yards.
Next up for San Francisco is a home game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Meanwhile, the Bears will be in tough as they travel to face the Green Bay Packers next weekend.
