I was thinking on the title for this one obviously wanted to make reference to the wheatear the game was played on, suddenly I got flashbacks of Super Bowl XLI, Payton Manning slicing the defense like Moses, Rex Grossman throwing ducks, 5 seconds of PTSD. Fans needed this win, I needed this win, obviously the Bears needed this win to shut people up or just tone it down a few bars at least.
Offensively I kind of went through the 5 stages of grief in a different order on that first half, I was on denial not believing how poor the offense was playing, got angry when seeing more of the same plays and results as last year, depression that it wasn't looking any better, acceptance that this is a young team and growing pains where to be expected, bargaining? I didn't know to who sell my soul for things to change but maybe someone else did because the second half happened. Seriously now, that shift from first to second half was a coaching thing as much as it was a talent thing, Luke Getsy and crew correctly changed a plan that was getting them nowhere and Justin Fields made things happen with his athleticism maintaining plays and drives alive resulting in scoring 3 TDs on consecutive possessions. The offense benefited by playing a clean game while taking all of the 49ers defensive help via penalties especially the 3 personal fouls, the first PF was bogus in my opinion which resulted in nothing for the Bears, the other 2 helped the Bears on their first 2 touchdowns while the 3rd TD was thanks to Eddie Jacksons interception that left the offense just outside the red zone. So yeah, the offense got help but one solid positive thing is that they where able to capitalize in their opportunities with TDs and not FGs or stupid penalties that pushed them back and forced them to punt like that towel penalty, I don't know all the rule book but I would strongly debate that action taken by Trenton Gill was a merit for a flag and most definitely not worth 15 yards.
Upside players: There wasn't any good consistent play on offense, but one this is for sure, the Bears don't win without Justin Fields keeping plays alive and moving the chains with his feet. As imperfect as it was, the Oline fought a very tough 49ers front seven, they still have ways to go but its good to see they can and want to get better. Justin Herbert benefited from the positive response of the Oline to get some good chunks of yards and a TD.
Downside players: It was a bad day for David Montgomery but the offense should still round through him as the lead back, better weather should help him and the Oline create more inside lanes for him. Braxton Jones had his rookie welcome by a top caliber DL, if he's got it it should only get easier from here forward.
The defense still is the hero of the game for this Bears team, they managed to stop the 49ers offense to just one TD in the first half when starting 3 of their 6 possessions near midfield. The defense did permit 3 big gains through the air and one on the ground for more than 15 yards, but managed to get 2 crucial turnovers, the first a fumble at the red zone to negate any points and the second the interception by Jackson that lead to the 3rd TD that sealed the game. The defense managed to get pressure on Trey Lance to hurry his decision making and forcing him to use his legs often. Again penalties killed some chances for the 49ers to maintain drives while the Bears stayed clean on defense as well. Even without George Kittle, the 49ers had weapons to make damage, losing Elijah Mitchell for the second half did hamper them a bit and obviously the rain limited the passing game greatly, so the Bears defense took advantage of this and had an overall good showing against a tough opponent.
Upside players: Rookie Dominique Robinson with 1.5 sacks on limited snaps is very promising. Armon Watts showed his more than just a NT, displaying movement and run stuffing ability. Rookie DBs Jaquan Brisket and Kyler Gordon are very talented athletes and it showed on this game. Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson complete this secondary that shows promise to be a top unit in the league.
Downside players: A sloppy game no doubt but 10 points given is always a good job by the defense.
Trey Lance is a talented QB, on this game neither him of Fields could show how much due to the weather, Fields demonstrated on this game that he can carry the team while Lance could not do the same, while only down by 3 points at the start of the 4th quarter the 49ers inexplicably made Lance throw the ball while it was pouring down instead of sticking to the heavy run scheme that was working and would have been more efficient in those conditions, the result was the interception which ended in 6 more points for the Bears and pretty much ended almost any chance for them to come back by going run heavy, they had to pass now and it was almost impossible with the rain coming down even harder, the 49ers coaching I believe made the mistake that cost them the game. The Bears won this one because they looked very well coached and never gave up, they trusted the system, this will make games very interesting and the future even more. Next up is against the archrival nemesis in Green Bay, the Packers had their butts handed to them by Justin Jefferson and the Vikings, without their starting tackles and WR1 the Packers looked bad, I still believe they have a very good defense but it didn't show this past weekend and Rodgers is still a top 5 QB, hopefully they are who they showed they are and the Bears can have a chance to surprise the critics once more.
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