The NFL unveiled its 2022 schedule last week, and the Chicago Bears will be opening the season at home for the first time in the last three years. Their opponent will be a familiar one in the San Francisco 49ers, who bested Chicago 33-22 last season.
The Bears and 49ers matchup will feature two young, first-round quarterbacks in Chicago’s Justin Fields and San Francisco’s Trey Lance, which certainly explains the season-opener appeal.
While the Bears will kick off the season at home, that’s not enough to convince oddsmakers that Chicago has a great chance to win this game. The Bears have opened as early 6.5-point underdogs against the 49ers in Week 1, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
Last season, Chicago had a strong first half against San Francisco before the defense succumbed to the 49ers offense in the second half. Fields recorded his first 100-yard rushing game, including an improbable 22-yard touchdown scramble to bring the Bears to within one point in the fourth quarter.
San Francisco is the first of six playoff teams from last year that Chicago will face in the 2022 season.
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