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Rookie who stood out: DE Dominique Robinson

The Bears got the consistency they hoped would show up from their high-ceiling fifth-rounder who began playing defensive end only two years ago. Robinson logged 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, one tackle for loss and seven total tackles -- which was the second-largest output by any Chicago defender in a 19-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers. What's most impressive is how effective Robinson was in limited action. The defensive end was on the field for only 28 of 68 total defensive snaps.

Playing in soaking-wet conditions at Soldier Field, the Bears' offense looked pitiful in the first two quarters of their opener against the 49ers. How bad? Chicago managed 26 yards on its first 20 plays from scrimmage and went into the half without a catch from a wide receiver or tight end -- the first time that's happened for the Bears since 1991, per the FOX game broadcast. But Chicago showed gumption, taking advantage of a host of unforced errors by San Francisco to put together three touchdown drives in the second half to score the upset. Justin Fields sparked the comeback with the type of scramble play that's fast become his signature -- the second-year QB spun away from the rush, found some open space, then threw across the field to Dante Pettis, who scored from 51 yards out. Fields has playmaker traits that produce enough electricity to raise a team from the dead.

Give this team credit for beating the 49ers. The defense was outstanding in the bad conditions. The offense has a lot of work to do.

Why would you ever want a roof over Soldier Field when the Chicago weather can be the league's most effective 12th Man?

You know how football old heads like to trot out stats like, "The Kenosha Maroons are undefeated in games when they run the ball at least 35 times"? As if simply handing the ball off that many times is some kind of cheat code to an automatic victory, divorced from the context that running that often probably means the team has a lead. Well if you want to win a game in today's NFL, all you have to do is never blitz, not once. The Bears followed the Bills' lead during Sunday's monsoon win against the 49ers and never sent more than four pass rushers at Trey Lance, per TruMedia. Four teams over the past five seasons have gone an entire game without blitzing once, all of them in a winning effort (joining the Bills and Bears in Week 1 are the 2021 Bills, who beat the Chiefs 38-20, and the 2018 Lions, who beat the Patriots 26-10).

Justin Fields, meanwhile, did enough to give Bears fans a feel-good first week of the season. The game turned on Fields' improvised 51-yard touchdown pass to Dante Pettis, which must have felt good for the former resident of Shanahan's doghouse. If Pettis retired today, he'd finish in the top 10 of longest one-catch, one-touchdown seasons since the merger. A prestigious list, for sure.

I'm not sprinting to jump on the Chicago bandwagon until the team dries off and plays well in better weather, but there's still reason for optimism at the start of the Ryan Poles—Matt Eberflus era. The offensive line performed way better than anyone expected against a talented San Francisco defensive front, and the Bears were able to do just enough to beat a sloppy 49ers team in sloppy weather conditions.

It was notable that Khalil Herbert got a significant role on Sunday and outplayed David Montgomery. Herbert had 45 yards and a touchdown on nine carries while Montgomery had 26 yards on 17 carries. This could morph into more of a 50-50 split than anticipated, which isn't a bad thing for the Bears. Herbert is a good back.

Win at Lambeau, and the Bears will get a big bump.