San Francisco 49ers: Lower your expectations for Jimmy Garoppolo this week

The beginning of the Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers era will begin on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. However, the Bears defense should give Garoppolo some fits.

Jimmy Garoppolo will have a tough test this Sunday in his first start for the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chicago Bears are 3-8, but their defense is an incredibly tough unit. They rank 12th in the league in total defense and 12th against the pass, which is not great news for Garoppolo.

The game will be set in Soldier Field in Chicago, which is just about 20 miles from Garoppolo’s hometown of Arlington Heights. Garoppolo will be happy to play for his childhood friends and family, but it most likely will not be a happy homecoming for him on the field.

San Francisco 49ers

The Chicago defense is especially good at home, allowing an average of 18.8 points per game at Soldier Field, compared to allowing an average of 27.8 points per game on the road. And the Bears have faced potent offenses such as the Falcons, Steelers, Vikings, Panthers, Packers and Lions at home.

The Bears are not losing games because of their defense. The Bears are losing games because of their sub-par offense, which has averaged just 16.1 points per game.

Chicago’s defense is led by defensive end Akiem Hicks, who is the 16th-ranked defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. Hicks has 39 tackles and seven sacks on the season, anchoring the strong front for the Bears.

Also heavily contributing on the Chicago defense is linebacker Danny Trevathan, who was on the Denver Broncos’ elite Super Bowl-winning defense. He is ranked the No. 9 linebacker in the league by Pro Football Focus, so look for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to send him on blitz packages to try to get to Garoppolo, who will have trouble throwing in the secondary led by Adrian Amos, the Bears’ safety. Pro Football Focus ranks him the No. 2 safety in the league. He only has one interception this season, but has excelled in coverage this season.

These three core players will look to give Garoppolo trouble in his first career start.

I am a huge fan of Garoppolo and thought he displayed a bit of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in his limited action against the Seahawks last week, but expectations should be lowered this Sunday at Soldier Field.

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The Chicago defense is no joke, and with the 49ers’ offensive line troubles and lack of offensive weapons, Garoppolo will encounter more than his fair share of troubles in the beginning of a new era.