To kick off the 2022 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers (0-0) are on the road to face the Chicago Bears (0-0) in an early game Sunday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field, and the game will air regionally on FOX. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the 49ers vs. Bears odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The 49ers are coming off a 10-win season, a trip to the playoffs and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game. The difference is that this year their starting quarterback will be 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance. Lance takes over for Jimmy Garoppolo, who remains on the team as a backup.
The Bears hired coach Matt Eberflus to groom second-year QB Justin Fields to be a franchise quarterback and get the team back to the postseason after a 6-11 2021 season.
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49ers at Bears odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 12:25 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): 49ers -320 (bet $320 to win $100) | Bears +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
- Against the spread (ATS): 49ers -6.5 (-120) | Bears +6.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 40.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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49ers at Bears key injuries
49ers
- OL Daniel Brunskill (hamstring) out
- TE George Kittle (groin) questionable
Bears
- WR Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) out
- DE Dominique Robinson (knee) questionable
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49ers at Bears picks and predictions
Prediction
Bears 23, 49ers 19
Money line
Lance gets the keys to the offense despite Garoppolo’s presence on the roster. He was 31-14 as a starter. 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan is 8-28 when other players start at quarterback.
The Bears have a new offensive scheme, and Fields looked good in the preseason.
Lance is not the polished passer that Garoppolo is, and while he has a higher ceiling for his play, he will be more prone to mistakes, especially turning the ball over. And it appears they will be without Kittle for this game, although he is officially listed as questionable for the game. Kittle said he’s doing everything he can to play and felt better Friday.
With a new scheme and opening at home with the extra energy to start the season, I have this as one of my big underdog picks of the week.
Fade the 49ers and take the BEARS (+260) to win.
Against the spread
The 49ers were 12-8 ATS last season, including the postseason while the Bears were 6-11 ATS.
I personally like taking teams in their home opener to cover the spread, no matter how bad they appear to be.
The money line is where the money is, but the spread is large enough to give yourself breathing room.
Take the BEARS +6.5 (+100).
Over/Under
In 2021, the 49ers were 8-12 O/U, and the Bears were 7-10 O/U.
The Bears averaged more than 20 points in the preseason.
The 49ers scored 28 in their final preseason tuneup.
The projected total is a touch low so I like OVER 40.5 (-110).
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More NFL Week 1 coverage
- Experts: ML, ATS and OU predictions
- Best picks: Underdogs | 5 player props | Survivor
- Bet Slippin’ podcast with guest Minty Bets of Yahoo! Sports
- Updated fantasy football rankings (PPR scoring)
- Super Bowl LVII odds
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