Read a preview and watch a live stream of the Bears vs the 49ers…
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara.
When: Monday September 15, 01:30 (UK time)
Watch live: Click here to watch live on Channel 4!
The San Francisco 49ers start a new era at the Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night as they host the Chicago Bears looking to secure a 2-0 start to the season.
It was a contrasting start to the year for these two teams, with the 49ers putting a tumultuous off-season behind them to silence the critics with a confidence-boosting win over the Dallas Cowboys.
However, it was a memorable Week 1 for the Bears for all the wrong reasons after they surrendered to a shock defeat at home to the Buffalo Bills, and coach Marc Trestman will be under pressure to ensure things go downhill from there.
Chicago will be looking to avoid a 0-2 start to the season for the first time since 2003, but it won’t be easy against a team that they have undoubtedly struggled against in recent times.
Colin Kaepernick has put all the distractions of the summer behind him as well as all the off-field controversy surrounding team-mates such as Aldon Smith and Ray McDonald, while NaVorro Bowman remains sidelined with injury.
The 49ers quarterback threw a pair of touchdowns to Vernon Davis in Dallas last weekend and finished 16 of 23 for 201 yards which helped improved his record to 18-6 as a starter for the franchise.
However, he also got help from the likes of running back pair Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde, and he will look to take advantage of Chicago’s weakness in that area based on last weekend’s performance.
The Bears have a string of key players questionable for the game after missing practice on Wednesday, and if Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Roberto Garza and Matt Slauson don’t recover in time, then it could result in a huge win for the 49ers to start life at the Levi’s Stadium.
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