When the Bears have the ball
The focus is again on a faster start after the Bears struggled for 58 minutes last Saturday against the Packers before catching fire in the last seven. The Bears’ 10th-ranked scoring offense also has an opportunity against a 49ers defense that’s much improved after Robert Saleh’s return as coordinator but still has vulnerabilities. The 49ers are tied for 11th in points allowed and eighth in rushing yards allowed but are 18th in total yards allowed, 23rd in passing yards allowed and 32nd in sacks per pass play.
The same opportunity goes for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who completed 50% of his passes (12 of 24) in the first 58 minutes against the Packers but 70% (7 of 10) in the final seven minutes, including overtime.