3 reasons 49ers bounce back with win over Bears in Week 8

1. Justin Fields is playing against himself

The biggest advantage for San Francisco isn’t even in its own locker room.

Justin Fields is a menace to himself and the Chicago Bears.

The rookie QB just can’t hold onto the ball. He totaled five turnovers in their hideous loss to the Bucs. Two lost fumbles, three interceptions, and zero touchdowns. And 184 passing yards and 38 rushing yards don’t even begin to make up for such a weak grasp on the football.

This play illustrates why.

Last week wasn’t a significant outlier. Fields has six fumbles and six interceptions on the year. To his credit, he’s a victim of a below-average offensive supporting cast and ineffective play calling. Regardless, he’s still making critical mistakes instead of elevating the offense. The rookie is an under-developed decision maker at this point in his career and just a sitting duck against opposing defenses.

The Niners haven’t been great at forcing turnovers this season, but they haven’t had such an easy target yet. Especially coming off of five turnovers, Fields is going to be shaken up for Week 8.

If Nick Bosa and the defense turn the heat upon Fields and his breakdown protection, they’re going to have a day full of stolen footballs on their road to 3-4.