CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The Bears kicked off their new era with a 19-10 win over the 49ers on Sunday at Soldier Field.
After trailing 10-0 in the third quarter, the Bears responded with 19 unanswered points, and Matt Eberflus earned his first victory as an NFL head coach. Here are the observations from a rain-soaked Soldier Field.
It’s one game, but...
The Bears appear to be a well-coached team. While it was an uneven showing overall and the messy conditions led to some ugly play, Eberflus and his staff excelled in their first game leading the Bears.
The Bears' defense -- led by Eberflus and coordinator Alan Williams -- stifled the 49ers’ offense. The key play early in the game was a forced fumble by cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who used a "Peanut punch" on 49ers star receiver Deebo Samuel to halt a potential scoring drive for San Francisco.
“They had some momentum, and we stopped it with that,” Eberflus said.
The Bears held the 49ers to just 331 total yards of offense and 4.9 yards per play. Quarterback Trey Lance struggled in going 13-of-28 for 164 yards and an interception. Samuel wasn't much of a factor in the passing game, with just two catches for 14 yards.
Most importantly for Eberflus and Williams, the Bears won the turnover battle 2-1.
On the other side of the ball, first-year Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy made a few key adjustments at halftime. With the Bears being shut out on the scoreboard and struggling to move the ball, Getsy created a plan to take advantage of the 49ers’ aggressive defensive front.
Getsy incorporated more moving pockets for second-year quarterback Justin Fields and utilized play-action looks. On Fields' 18-yard touchdown pass to receiver Equanimeous St. Brown in the fourth quarter, the Bears had a pair of schemed openings because of the play design. The 49ers bit on the third-and-2 play-action fake and a twist between St. Brown and receiver Byron Pringle left both targets wide open.
While the play was designed with fullback Khari Blasingame as the first read, Fields went through his progressions and found St. Brown as his second read.
“I felt the defenders coming down soft,” Fields said of that play. “Then saw EQ, he took a good angle with that safety right there and just hit him for the touchdown.”
The Bears should be proud of their discipline as a team Sunday as well. They were penalized just three times for 24 yards, including the bizarre unsportsmanlike conduct called on rookie punter Trenton Gill for wiping the spot of the hold of a potential field-goal attempt with a towel. Meanwhile, the 49ers were flagged 12 times for 99 yards.
Related
Rookie showcase
Since Bears general manager Ryan Poles concluded his first NFL Draft in late April, there has been a growing belief in what this rookie class could become. On Sunday, we saw some of the potential.
Four of the Bears’ 11 draft picks played a key role in their NFL debuts, and that was notable against a 49ers team with a lot of experience.
Bears rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon stepped in primarily as the nickelback – while also shifting outside in base 4-3 looks – and had six tackles, including one for a loss. Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker, who like Gordon was a second-round pick, had four tackles, including one for a loss.
Starting left tackle Braxton Jones, drafted in the fifth round, performed admirably against 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa. He allowed just one sack and held his own.
But the best rookie performance for the Bears came from fifth-round pass rusher Dominique Robinson, who had 1.5 sacks and a tackle for a loss in his debut. Robinson was converted in college from quarterback to wide receiver to defensive end. On Sunday, he certainly looked the part of an NFL pass rusher.
Fields to Pettis
What was going through the mind of Bears receiver Dante Pettis as a sure touchdown pass came his direction in the third quarter?
“The ball felt like it was in the air forever,” Pettis said. “Just waiting there, caught it basically like a punt, just took off.”
Pettis simply had to out-run the 49ers’ defense after his grab, and his 51-yard touchdown was sealed by a key block from St. Brown. Of course, the play was all about Fields and what his dual-threat abilities can create.
Fields was flushed out of a crumbling pocket but kept the play alive by scrambling out to his left, then scanned the field looking for someone open. The Bears have worked on such off-script plays in practice, with Fields’ receivers recognizing they must find openings when their quarterback is extending a play.
The veteran Pettis realized that and broke off his route to get open. Fields found him as the Bears changed the game.
Extra points
-- The scene at Soldier Field on Sunday, with the torrential rain pouring down onto the new Bermuda grass surface, was like something out of a movie. Credit to the fans who hung in there while getting soaked.
-- As for the Bears' victorious slides through puddles in the northwest corner of Soldier Field, Fields said it was an idea from an offensive lineman in the huddle before the last snap in victory formation. Fields couldn’t remember who came up with the idea, but everyone was excited to do it. “That was a snapshot moment, for sure,” Fields said.
-- Speaking of grass, the new Bermuda surface held up well after the pregame rain. The Soldier Field grounds crew also did well in clearing puddles. As for the fourth quarter, the heavy rain served as an advantage for the Bears as they held the lead and passing the ball became extremely difficult.
-- Fields knew immediately that he made a mistake on his interception in the first quarter. On a third-down play, Fields tried to force a pass to receiver Darnell Mooney when the 49ers presented an opening in a three-weak hook coverage. That opening closed quickly, and San Francisco made Fields pay.
-- The Bears planned early last week for their right guard rotation, with Teven Jenkins and Lucas Patrick shifting every two series. With his injured right hand in a large cast, Patrick was unable to snap the football effectively, so he wasn't an option at center. It’s unclear whether Chicago will line up with Patrick at center next Sunday in Green Bay or continue to use him in a right guard rotation and keep Sam Mustipher as the starting center.
-- In terms of silly NFL rules, it doesn’t get much weirder than banning a holder from wiping a soaked surface for a hold. Don’t blame Gill for that mistake.
Related
-- Fields took a pair of late hits as he slid Sunday and drew personal fouls on the 49ers for both. After the second one, the Bears’ entire offensive line jumped to his defense. You love to see that.
-- After the game, Fields handed out a pair of game balls – one to Eberflus and another to Poles.
-- There was no Club Dub for Eberflus’ first win, but the Bears relished the moment. They heard what skeptics were saying about them and made a statement.
-- Chicago heads to Green Bay at 1-0, while the Packers are 0-1. Just like everybody thought.
-- Shortly after his first win, Eberflus was greeted by mentor Gary Pinkel with a hug and congratulations.
-- This quote from Jenkins seemed notable: "Everything that (Matt Eberflus) has been preaching to us is starting to happen." The Bears are believing in Eberflus and his vision.
-- Rain football rules.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker