49ers at Chicago Bears

Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears took advantage of wet, windy conditions at Soldier Field to upset the 49ers 19-10 in the season opener. Trey Lance completed 13 of 28 for 164 yards with an interception in his first start as the 49ers' Day-1 starter. Lance led the Niners in rushing (13 carries, 54 yards). The 49ers were the better team statistically but turned the ball over twice in the rain. Fields ran in a touchdown. Chicago kicked the late field goal that made it 19-10.[1][2][3]

Trey Lance got his start. Trey Lance did not get his win.

The weather, by every account, was the day's primary defender. Wet, windy Soldier Field is the kind of Sunday that turns the modern NFL passing game into the 1985 NFL passing game, and Lance, in his first start as the 49ers' Day-1 starter, completed 13 of 28 for 164. He led the team in rushing with 54 yards on 13 carries.

'There were a lot of things we can clean up,' is the kind of postgame quote that gets written into the wire copy after openers like this one. Justin Fields had a similar afternoon for the Bears. The Bears won 19-10 because they protected the football one fewer time than the 49ers.

0-1. The Seahawks come up at home next. The conversation about whether Lance is ready will need a second-week answer.

Bears 19, 49ers 10. Margin: -9. Season opener.

• Trey Lance: 13-of-28 for 164, 1 INT, plus team-leading 13 carries for 54 yards.
• Justin Fields: 8-of-17 for 121, 1 TD on the ground.
• Weather: rain and wind throughout.
• 49ers turnovers: 2.
• Net yardage: 49ers led; turnovers decided it.
• Bears 1-0; 49ers 0-1.

A 19-10 upset loss in Chicago to open the season. The 49ers fall to 0-1 in Trey Lance's first start as the Day-1 starter.

How it unfolded

The game was played in the kind of rain and wind that defines Chicago openers. Both offenses produced more punts than touchdowns. The 49ers led 7-3 at the half on a Lance rushing touchdown. The Bears scored on a Justin Fields rushing TD and a couple of field goals to take the second-half lead. The 49ers turned the ball over twice on possessions that, in cleaner conditions, would have been scoring opportunities.

The turning point

The 49ers' second-half turnovers. Lance's interception ended a drive that had moved into Chicago territory; a fumble on the next possession set up the Bears' go-ahead field goal.

By the numbers

Lance 13-of-28 for 164 with an INT plus the 54 rushing yards. Fields 121 passing on 17 attempts with a rushing TD. The 49ers outgained the Bears in total yards but lost the turnover battle.

Personnel watch

Trey Lance in his first Day-1 start. The weather neutralized the passing game in a way that favored the team with fewer mistakes. The Bears had fewer.

What it means

0-1 with the Seahawks at home next. Lance's first start was the kind of weather-affected opener that does not tell the season's story but produces an L in the win column nonetheless.