The San Francisco 49ers make their much-anticipated regular-season debut at the new $1.2 billion Levi’s Stadium against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.
Bears vs. 49ers 2014: San Francisco hosts Chicago to christen Levi’s Stadium
Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers will look to open their new stadium with a win over the Bears on Sunday night.
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco is probably the last place that the Bears want to travel to as they try to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2003. Chicago has not won a road game against the 49ers in nearly three decades, losing seven straight by an average of 28 points per game.
The 49ers quieted critics and made a big statement with their dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. San Francisco is coming off a trip to the NFC Championship game, but a tumultuous offseason raised questions about whether the 49ers could continue their success in 2014. The Bears have questions of their own to answer after a crushing defeat in overtime to the Buffalo Bills.
Meet the Bears
Jay Cutler was given a $126 million contract in January, effectively making him the Bears' franchise quarterback. With that money came expectations of a deep postseason run this year behind a more consistent Cutler under center. Cutler did little to shed the enigma label with his uneven performance last Sunday against the Bills. He threw for 349 yards but had two costly picks, including one in the fourth quarter with the score tied 17-17 that the Bills eventually turned into a game-winning field goal.
One of the reasons the Bears missed the playoffs for a third straight season was its porous run defense, a unit that ranked last in the NFL in both rushing yards and yards per rush allowed last season. Their front seven showed no signs of improvement against the Bills, who ran for 193 yards and averaged nearly six yards per carry in Week 1. Things might not get any better this weekend against a mobile quarterback like Colin Kaepernick and a talented 1-2 punch at running back in veteran Frank Gore and rookie Carlos Hyde.
Meet the 49ers
The 49ers may have entered the season with mixed expectations, but they left little doubt about their status as an NFC contender after last Sunday’s 28-17 win over the Cowboys. The 49ers returned a fumble for a touchdown on the second play of the game and held a 21-3 lead after the first quarter.
Colin Kaepernick was an efficient 16-for-23 for 201 yards, but it was a suffocating defense that dominated the Cowboys and keyed the easy win for San Francisco. They intercepted Tony Romo on three consecutive possessions in the first half, sacked him three times and turned four turnovers into 21 points. The performance was even more impressive considering the absences of suspended linebacker Aldon Smith and injured All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman.
Injuries
Opposing positions of strength were hit hard for the 49ers and Bears.
In the Niners’ secondary, cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock could both sit out. Brock especially. He is dealing with turf toe and has yet to practice week. Culliver is dealing with concussion symptoms, but if he handles a contact test Saturday he could play without restriction.
Fortunately for San Francisco, the Bears’ top two wideouts are dinged up. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are both listed as questionable with an ankle and hamstring injury, respectively. Jeffery was limited at practice Friday, but Marshall was held out altogether. Whether either plays could be decided at game time.
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Odds
The 49ers are favored by 7.5 points over the Bears.
Next Week
San Francisco's next game is on the road against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 21. The Bears will stay on the road to play the New York Jets on Monday Night Football on Sept. 22.
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