Not trying to usurp Mongo's weekly previews or in any way degrade their quality by starting this thread. Just trying to get some discussion going as we look forward to opening Sunday. Lots to watch for with this team, this post is not meant to capture everything. Here's what I'm thinking: 1) Braxton Jones + Larry Borom vs Nick Bosa + Arik Armstead Ok so right off the bat we get a massive test for our o-line but especially the tackles. They will have their hands full from the first snap and given what we've come to expect we should be thrilled if Fields emerges from this game unscathed. On the other hand if they, particularly Jones, have even an average game, this should be considered a major matchup victory for us and I'd say we have a damn good chance to keep pace on the scoreboard. 2) Jaquan Brisker vs Deebo Samuel Brisker showed some flashes in the preseason, now he moves up to the big stage trying to contain Deebo, either as a RB or WR. Tbh not even sure Brisker is going to match up against Deebo, but I'd expect that throughout the game he's going to have his hands full with him and get put to the test right away. Let's hope the rookie can put himself in a position to make some big plays and contain Deebo. 3) Trey Lance vs Kyle Shanahan Nothing about Lance has ever impressed me and I remain stunned John Lynch took him ahead of Fields, Mac Jones, and all the rest. The fact that the 49ers ended up resigning Jimmy G shows that they do not have confidence in Lance, even with the wizard that is Kyle Shanahan guiding him. Regardless of Shanahan's genius, I don't think Lance is NFL ready and we should all be thrilled we're facing this team now as opposed to later in the season. Lance sucks. If our defense can't shut him down then we're in for an even longer season than I thought. 4) 2022 Justin Fields vs 2021 Justin Fields Nagy is gone. The o-line is still abysmal and we're devoid of talent at the skill positions. Still, we need to see something, anything that can give us some hope that Fields is ready to turn the corner. That last preseason game was great, but means shit now. Justin Fields, your time to shine is now. Prediction: As I said I think it's advantageous to be facing the 49ers now. The pressure is all on Lance and Kyle Shanahan to take the next step and get back to the Super Bowl. Vegas still sees them as a 7 point favorite on the road, and it's hard to blame them. But I think Lance's inexperience and ineptitude help keep this game low scoring. The Niners D is really tough as we know, so points might be hard to come by. They also are better special teams unit than us. I say we lose 16-13, a late Robbie Gould FG being the difference.
This, for me, is the most interesting thing to watch. Because it's gonna tell us a lot about our coaching staff. If you see Jones on an island early....you know you have another Nagy on your hands. Bears defense has to put pressure on Lance and force mistakes. He didn't look good in camp or preseason. His passes aren't accurate and his footwork is a mess. Unless something drastically changes I like our chances. I have the Bears winning 24-17. With Fields leading a game winning drive in the 4th and the defense getting a pick to seal the win at the end.
Great stuff, Blang. This game definitely has to be about the Bears' identity - defense and establishing the run before playing the PA pass. Defense has to make Lance uncomfortable, and push them off their gameplan. I worry that Roquan being behind on the 4-3 transition, and relying on rookies in the secondary, might make it hard for the defense to shut them down. I guess we'll see. If the defense can do their job, then the offense has a chance. Load up the line / backfield with bodies to help block, and establish the run. Get Fields on the move and use the PA. It sounds simple, but it was simple last year, too, and we still didn't get that, so... But if they can keep this a low scoring game and capitalize on a big play or two, they might win this one. I don't think they will, but I can imagine a path.
Well done Blang buddy. Obvs a win would be great, but as the first time to see the new team in real action im taking a baby steps approach to this game. I want to see a team come out looking ready to play Week 1(which so rarely happened under Nagy) which will hopefully lead to a fast start. I wanna fundamentals everywhere: On D aggression, committed tackling, rallying to the ball, no one slacking off cos they think the play is on the other side of the field. On O I wanna see play calling that plays to peoples strengths, plays that lead on from one another in a smart/logical way, not the random epileptic fit of faux trickery that the last guy thought was so clever but which made the whole thing look like a clown swamp. A play sheet not lifted from a Chinese takeout would help. The O-Line being able to assert themselves in the run game would be awesome. I first saw it mentioned here by Rob, but have also read it elsewhere pretty consistently, this team showed hints in preseason of being a disciplined, well run outfit. I wanna see that x3,000. Absolute bare minimum pre snap penalties, minimum penalties period, don't make it easy don't give them free yards thru stupidity. I would LOVE to see everybody just STFU. No jawing, all business. Let the opponent know they are in for a 150play war on both sides of the ball. Thats my big hope for Eberflus/this coaching staff, I think there's a shot. If they do that this team will win its share of games. In fact they'll prob win a couple of games they shouldn't. I do think the 9ers will win because there is a talent deficiency. But I hope we can push them all the way. Go Bears!!
Yeah this is a good call out. I want to see a disciplined team right away and that any evidence that the attitude and "be you" fuckery of the Nagy era is indeed history.
Agree with BWW on this one has me the most interested. A pretty damn big measuring stick for this completely untested line. There will be some growing pains, but I want to see some glipses of potential, and as BWW also points out, smarter scheming bringing help on Bosa's side. If some of these guys can figure it out, having a solid O line would go a LONG way towards rebuilding this thing. I am also on the side of a close, hard fought probably lost battle, but man, you bring up the no jawing, I definitely want to see that. No BS, no talking, just bring your A game and play hard. Say what you will about the Lovie years, those guys played hard, and given Flus is a Lovie disciple bringing back the Loafs and such, I expect this much at least. Swarming to the ball. Hustle. I'll never forget a game in I think it was 2007 when Tommie Harris was running the length of the field and the announcer, I forget who, says, "Man, he is running like he's going to get cut from the team tomorrow." That's the kind of shit I want to see, every guy with that drive. This kind of thing will tell us we have a coach that can get us through the rebuild and build a good culture. Why are you the way that you are? Here's one back at you: Specifically the 49ers RZ play, but dude makes fair points across the board. Never seen that guy before, just google "Nagy's worst plays" and that was the first result, heh.
Thanks for sharing that Vvarder. Haven't seen that channel before. That was our offensive not-an-idiot guy, hired by our "football guy", who was hired by the same guy who's still hiring guys. Fuck, I can't decide if this video makes me more optimistic about Fields capability or more depressed about the front office.
