49ers vs. Bears Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
Lance takes over the helm of a 49ers squad that last season came within 15 minutes of a second straight Super Bowl berth. Conversely, the Bears are looking to claw their way back to respectability after enduring a late-season slide highlighted by season-ending 1-5-0 run on home turf.
The 49ers have gained momentum since opening as 6.5-point favourites, climbing to 7-point chalk while backed by 79% of the betting action. Conversely, the bears have steadily faded and are now listed as distant +246 moneyline underdogs. The total has also sagged to 40.5 since opening at 42. That dip has come in defiance of a 76% majority of sports bettors backing the OVER.
NFL Week 1 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Soldier Field marks the second meeting between these two teams in as many seasons. The 49ers rolled to a 33-22 victory when they visited the Windy City in Week 8 of last season, which also marked their third win in as many road dates with the Bears. Overall, San Francisco has taken five of eight from the Bears, but have not tallied consecutive head-to-head wins in a decade. Low scoring has been the hallmark of recent meetings between these NFC rivals. Prior to last season’s matchup, these two teams mustered a combined point total over 30 just once in three outings. Accordingly, the UNDER enjoyed a steady 3-0-0 run.
The 49ers blazed the trail to the NFL playoffs last season by closing out their schedule on a steady 7-2-0 straight up and against the spread run. Conversely, the Bears ended their 2021 campaign on a dismal 3-9-0 straight up run. Chicago has also consistently disappointed on home turf, posting consecutive wins just once during a brutal 6-11-0 run that began in December 2019.
San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance gave his stock a big boost with a solid two-touchdown performance in the team’s 23-7 win over Houston in Week 18, and cemented his grasp on the starter’s role with a steady preseason, highlighted by a 92-yard, one-score performance in the first quarter of the Niners’ 28-21 win over Green Bay. However, if the pressure from media and fans that he faces ahead of his debut as starter was not enough, Lance must also contend with what is expected to be a rainy afternoon in Chicago on Sunday. In addition to a steady diet of touches for rusher Elijah Mitchell, the poor weather should also enable Lance to show off his impressive ability to scramble. Indeed, Lance’s mobility served him well when he faced a stingy Arizona defense in his first career start. While he was limited to just 192 yards on 15-for-29 passing, Lance racked up a game-high 89 rushing yards in a disappointing 17-10 loss.
Chicago Bears
Like Lance, Justin Fields has plenty to prove entering the new season. The Bears pivot garnered mixed reviews in his rookie campaign a year ago, but finished the season on a strong note with five scoring passes over his final four starts. Accuracy remains a concern for Fields, who completed just 58.9 pass attempts, and piled up 10 picks including seven over his final six starts. Fields must also contend with receiving corps that has been battered by injuries, including rookie Velus Jones Jr., who may see his NFL debut delayed by a hamstring injury. Fortunately, Fields is also a dual threat. Along with rusher David Montgomery, Fields should spearhead a Bears ground game that won’t wilt in the rain. However, scoring runs are likely to come at a premium against a Niners rush defense that limited opponents to an average of just 77.6 rushing yards and one total scoring run over their final five games of last season.
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CHI