Chicago Bears beat San Francisco 49ers in soggy season opener at Soldier Field

CHICAGO — Justin Fields threw for 2 second-half touchdowns, Eddie Jackson arrange a TD with an interception and the Chicago Bears gave Matt Eberflus a win in his head teaching debut, beating the San Francisco 49ers 19-10 on a rain-soaked Sunday at Soldier Discipline.

Fields shook off a tough first half, throwing a 51-yard TD to Dante Pettis within the third quarter and connecting with Equanimeous St. Brown for an 18-yarder early within the fourth to place Chicago on high 13-10. Jackson then picked off Trey Lance close to midfield for his first interception since 2019 and returned the ball to the 21. That led to a 6-yard landing run by Khalil Herbert, making it 19-10.

San Francisco working again Elijah Mitchell left the sport within the first half with a knee damage and didn’t return. Niners star tight finish George Kittle missed the sport due to a groin difficulty.

Heavy rain flooded the world and drenched the brand new Bermuda grass put in this week as an alternative of the standard Kentucky bluegrass utilized in a stadium usually criticized for its uneven floor. As the ultimate seconds ticked away, Bears gamers took head-first dives into the soggy finish zone.

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The Chicago Bears have been frolicked to dry by their very own towel throughout their season opener towards the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Trenton Gill was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct after the rookie holder used a towel to dry off a small space of the sector forward of a possible subject purpose attempt late within the second quarter. The 15-yard penalty moved Chicago out of Cairo Santos’ vary, resulting in Gill’s punt.

It rained for a lot of Sunday morning in Chicago, soaking Soldier Discipline. There have been splashes of water virtually each time a participant went to the turf.

Going through fourth-and-6 on the San Francisco 29 within the last minute of the primary half, first-year Bears coach Matt Eberflus despatched Santos and Gill out for the sector purpose.

Gill used a towel to pat down the world the place the kick could be tried, and Santos additionally stepped on the towel and used it to dry a special spot. Gill then solid the towel apart.

That is when the flag hit the sector.

“Unsportsmanlike conduct. Chicago, No. 16. Introduced a towel out on the sector through the dead-ball interval to wipe the sector down,” referee Clay Martin introduced, making a wiping movement together with his left arm. “By rule, that is unlawful.”

Fields, the No. 11 total decide in 2019, was 8 of 17 for 121 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The previous Ohio State star is making an attempt to persuade Eberflus and new basic supervisor Ryan Poles he can solidify a place that has lengthy been a weak point for Chicago.

The Bears have been outgained 331 yards to 204. However they did sufficient to get the win for Eberflus, who spent the previous 4 years as Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator.

Lance, drafted eight spots forward of Fields, accomplished 13 of 28 passes for 164 yards and a landing.

Deebo Samuel ran for a 6-yard rating within the second quarter after shedding a fumble deep in Chicago territory within the early going. However he caught simply two passes for 14 yards.

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Nick Bosa added a sack. However the Niners, coming off a run to the NFC championship sport, could not get a lot going towards “The Monsters of the Halfway.”

INJURIES

49ers: Mitchell – who set a franchise rookie report with 963 yards dashing final season – ran for 41 earlier than exiting within the second quarter.

Bears: The Bears introduced no accidents through the sport.

UP NEXT

49ers: Host Seattle on Sept. 18.

Bears: Go to Inexperienced Bay on Sept. 18.