49ers vs. Bears: Preview, score prediction for Week 13
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears
The San Francisco 49ers start the Jimmy Garoppolo era on Sunday when they visit the Chicago Bears in a Week 13 clash at Soldier Field. Garoppolo will make his debut at Soldier Field, 30 miles from his hometown of Arlington Heights, as San Francisco aims to record its second win of the season and Chicago seeks to end its four-game losing streak.
Neither team is in postseason contention, but with Garoppolo facing off against Bears rookie Mitchell Trubisky, this is a game that will provide a good indicator as to what each team has under center.
With rebuilding teams and new developments, how will things play out on Sunday in the Windy City?
Keys to the Game
Chicago’s pass defense is perhaps better than most would anticipate. Vic Fangio’s unit ranks 15th in the NFL in Football Outsiders’ DVOA, however, the Bears have injuries in the secondary that make them vulnerable. Safeties Adrian Amos (hamstring), Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson (both ankle) are all not expected to play, leaving a void next to rookie Eddie Jackson, with the newly signed Chris Prosinski likely to fill it.
With nickel corners Bryce Callahan and Cre’Von LeBlanc both questionable, Garoppolo, who has a better arm than C.J. Beathard and is naturally more aggressive, will hope to be able take advantage of those potential absences and inspire an offense that has struggled for much of the year.
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Callahan and LeBlanc’s potential absences could see slot receiver Trent Taylor become an even greater feature of the attack. Chicago is 25th in DVOA at defending wide receivers that aren’t the No. 1 or No. 2.
Tackle Trent Brown’s ability to recover from a shoulder injury will likely have a big impact on their hopes of keeping Garoppolo clean against a talented Bears front seven boasting an exciting young pass rusher in Leonard Floyd.
Chicago’s prospects of controlling the contest lie with running back Jordan Howard, who racked up 117 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns in a win over the 49ers last season, though guard Josh Sitton remaining in the concussion protocol could damage his prospects.
Trubisky may view the 49ers as the most favorable opponent of his fledgling career and his confidence will be boosted if safety Adrian Colbert and Ahkello Witherspoon — who has emerged as San Francisco’s best corner — are unable to play, particularly with the Niners ranked 29th in pass defense DVOA.
Odds
Point Spread: Chicago -3
Moneyline: San Francisco +155 Chicago -175
Over/Under: 41
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Prediction
With Garoppolo coming in without fully knowing the playbook on the road, it is natural to make the Bears the favorites. But he is more the polished quarterback of the two under center at Soldier Field and a 49ers defense that is making gradual improvements is unlikely to fear Trubisky. Look for the 49ers to pull off an upset, albeit a minor one.
Final Score: San Francisco 49ers: 24, Chicago Bears: 19