Trey Lance and Justin Fields are going to get a gut check in the first game of the season, as two quarterbacks out of the 2021 draft class face off against each other when the 49ers and Bears open the year.
For Lance, it's his first season as an opening day starter with Jimmy Garoppolo (somehow) still on the roster but, for all intents and purposes, shelved. Fields, meanwhile, will try to serve as a beacon for a team still in the throes of a rebuild, as the Bears figure out their identity under new coach Matt Eberflus.
The 49ers have some work to do if they're going to catch the Rams (and possibly the Cardinals) in the NFC West, but they're hoping Lance is able to take them over the hump. The Bears, meanwhile, just want to close the gap between themselves and the Packers in the NFC North.
While that seems like an uphill battle, the Bears are hoping their window is a bit more open than the NFL world anticipates. It's Week 1, so optimism can abound.
MORE: Watch the 49ers vs. Bears with fuboTV (free trial)
Here's what to know about 49ers vs. Bears in Week 1.
What channel is 49ers vs. Bears on today?
- TV channel (national): Fox
- TV channel (San Francisco): KTVU
- TV channel (Chicago): WFLD
- Live stream: fuboTV | Bally Sports app | DAZN (Canada)
The 49ers and Bears meet in their Week 1 matchup, broadcast live on Fox. Joe Davis and Daryl Johnston will be on the call, while Pam Oliver handles sideline duties.
For those who want to stream the game, there are a few options. FuboTV carries Fox, CBS, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you'll be covered on the NFL using the streaming service.
The Bally Sports app will also carry the game (Fox cable subscription required). For those in Canada, DAZN carries NFL games.
49ers vs. Bears start time
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 11
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET
The 49ers will be in Soldier Field to take on the Bears with a kickoff time of 1 p.m. ET (noon CT, 10 a.m. PT).
The 49ers will be alternating home and away games for the first five weeks of the season before an NFC road trip against the Panthers and Falcons back to back. The Bears, meanwhile, have a game in Green Bay in Week 2, an early challenge for a young team.
49ers schedule 2022
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 11 | at Bears | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 18 | vs. Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 25 | at Broncos (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Rams (MNF) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 5 | Oct. 9 | at Panthers | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 16 | at Falcons | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 23 | vs. Chiefs | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 8 | Oct. 30 | at Rams | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 9 | BYE | — | — | — |
| 10 | Nov. 13 | vs. Chargers (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 11 | Nov. 21 (MNF) | Cardinals (at Mexico City) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 12 | Nov. 27 | vs. Saints | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 4 | vs. Dolphins | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 14 | Dec. 11 | vs. Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 15 | at Seahawks (TNF) | 8:15 p.m. ET | Prime Video |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | vs. Commanders (Saturday) | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 17 | Jan. 1 | at Raiders | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 18 | Jan. 7/8 | vs. Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
Bears schedule 2022
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 11 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 18 | at Packers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 3 | Sept. 25 | vs. Texans | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 2 | at Giants | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 9 | at Vikings | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 13 | vs. Commanders (TNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | at Patriots (MNF) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 8 | Oct. 30 | at Cowboys | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 6 | vs. Dolphins | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 13 | vs. Lions | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 11 | Nov. 20 | at Falcons | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 27 | at Jets | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 13 | Dec. 4 | vs. Packers | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 14 | BYE | -- | -- | -- |
| 15 | Dec. 18 | vs. Eagles | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | vs. Bills (Saturday) | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 17 | Jan. 1 | at Lions | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 18 | Jan. 7 OR Jan. 8 | vs. Vikings | TBD | TBD |