The Chicago Bears kick off the 2022 NFL season against the San Francisco 49ers, which kicks off the Matt Eberflus era.
But these teams couldn’t be any further apart in terms of public perception. The 49ers are expected to contend for the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, many believe the Bears are destined to finish among the worst teams in the league.
This game is happening at the perfect time for Chicago as they’ll face an inexperienced Trey Lance, who’s making his first start as the starter for San Francisco. Justin Fields and the Bears offense will be looking to silence their doubters while Eberflus’ new-look defense will look to make an early statement.
The Bears are 6.5-point home underdogs against the 49ers, according to Tipico Sportsbook. But what do the experts think? Here’s a look:
USA TODAY
Jarrett Bell: 49ers
Nate Davis: 49ers
Safid Deen: Bears
Tyler Dragon: 49ers
Parker Gabriel: 49ers
Mike Jones: 49ers
Lorenzo Reyes: 49ers
NFL.com
Gregg Rosenthal – 49ers 24, Bears 14
Does Chicago have enough of a pass rush to make San Francisco’s new-look offensive line look young? Could the Bears’ patchwork line have picked a worse opponent to start the season against? All of the focus on Trey Lance has generally looked past the fact that the 49ers’ defense and running game — with Lance included — can win games like this one without a lot of help from the forward pass.
ESPN
Stephania Bell: 49ers
Matt Bowe: 49ers
Mike Clay: 49ers
Jeremy Fowler: 49ers
Domonique Foxworth: 49ers
Dan Graziano: 49ers
Jason Reid: 49ers
Laura Rutledge: 49ers
Sam Wickersham: Bears
Damien Woody: No pick
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco: 49ers
Jason La Canfora: 49ers
Will Brinson: 49ers
Jared Dubin: 49ers
Ryan Wilson: 49ers
John Breech: 49ers
Dave Richard: 49ers
Jamey Eisenberg: 49ers
MMQB
Albert Breer: 49ers
Mitch Goldich: 49ers
Gary Gramling: 49ers
Conor Orr: 49ers
John Pluym: 49ers
Sporting News
Vinnie Iyer – 49ers 34, Bears 17
This is the much-anticipated duel of second-year first-round QBs Trey Lance and Justin Fields. Lance inherits a stellar and deep supporting cast in replacing Jimmy Garoppolo full-time and will be comfortable passing and running on a transitioning defense. There’s optimism for Fields as a dual threat in his new offense but the Bears aren’t so stocked around him.
San Francisco tends to play well out of the West Coast under Kyle Shanahan and they will control the game with the more reliable rushing attack and more big plays downfield.
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report’s Week 1 picks:
Gary Davenport: Bears
Greg Ivory: 49ers
Ian Kenyon: 49ers
Kris Knox: Bears
Maurice Moton: 49ers
Wes O’Donnell: 49ers
Brent Sobleski: 49ers
Bottom line
The experts have pretty much no confidence that the Bears stand any chance in this game. Which isn’t a surprise given the national narrative surrounding Chicago since the offseason.
According to NFL Pickwatch, 94% of experts are picking the Bears to lose to the 49ers on Sunday.
Focusing specifically on the expert picks we rounded up above, here’s how the final tally looks:
49ers: 34
Bears: 4
