The Chicago Bears (4-8) visit the San Francisco 49ers (5-7) in a matchup between two teams that were expected to contend for the playoffs but have been disappointments. Our Bears vs 49ers prediction is for underdog Chicago to win the game outright.
Chicago is playing its first game since firing head coach Matt Eberflus. San Francisco is without several of its key players and has lost three straight.
Head-to-head, the 49ers have won 35 and the Bears have won 23. They have tied once.
Offshore Odds: 49ers a Field Goal Favorite at Home
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | +3 (-103) | +150 | O 43.5 (-110) |
| 49ers | -3 (-117) | -170 | U 43.5 (-110) |
Bears Play Their First Game Under Thomas Brown
After their series of missteps on Thanksgiving that cost them a chance to upset the Lions, Chicago fired Eberflus. Heretofore interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was named interim head coach.
It’s easy to blame Eberflus for the Bears’ struggles, but first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Caleb Williams has the franchise’s future on his shoulders and he has not yet lived up to the hype despite many positive attributes.
Williams has played reasonably well with a 61.6% completion percentage, 14 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. But he leads the league in being sacked and yards lost on those sacks. Often, there has been a disconnect between him and his teammates as he tries to take a leadership role and learn his craft.
Who knows where Chicago’s season might have gone had Washington not hit a Hail Mary on the last play of their game in Week 8? A win would have put them at 5-2. They have lost six straight. The offense looked better since Brown took over as OC, but the other issues came to a head in the Lions game.
Still, their pass defense is decent and they are fourth in the league in takeaway differential. A player as gifted as Williams with the weapons at his disposal can break out at any time. The Bears are certainly due.
Battered San Francisco Limps to the Finish Line
In the NFC West standings, San Francisco is only two games out of first place. However, they have lost star running back Christian McCaffrey for the season with a knee injury. All-Pro tackle Trent Williams is out with an ankle injury. Defensive end Nick Bosa has a hip problem. Quarterback Brock Purdy is nursing his throwing shoulder.
At a certain juncture, it becomes a case of diminishing returns and reaches the level of pointlessness.
The rest of their season may be about evaluation and, depending on Purdy’s shoulder prognosis, deciding to shut him down relatively soon.
Bears vs 49ers Prediction: Chicago May Play Loose and Easy
Chicago players are no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop on Eberflus. Brown being in charge might elicit a sense of relaxation and a wide-open offense. San Francisco is depleted and Chicago is due for a win.
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