San Francisco 49ers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Bears in Week 13

The San Francisco 49ers visit the Chicago Bears in Week 13 with a new quarterback at the helm. Here we make three bold predictions for the game.

A Week 13 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears carries much more intrigue than it otherwise would as Jimmy Garoppolo prepares to make his first start.

With just four wins between them this season, this is a game that would not usually generate much interest, but Garoppolo’s 49ers debut in a stadium 30 miles from his hometown should capture the imagination.

But what can we expect to see from the 49ers in their new quarterback’s bow? Here we make three bold predictions for Sunday’s game at Soldier Field.

3. Marquise Goodwin to have a 100-yard game

The Bears have a decent pass defense that is ranked 15th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA and 12th in yards allowed per game through the air. On the face of it, that should not add up to a big game for Garoppolo or his starting wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. But the Bears have been generous in recent weeks, with Marvin Jones (four catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns) and Davante Adams (5/90/1) both enjoying big games.

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Both those receivers are superior to Goodwin, but they do not have the same speed as a receiver whose 21.4 yards per catch average is the highest in the NFL. If Garoppolo gets in a rhythm and is aggressive downfield, expect Goodwin to have a huge day.

2. Carlos Hyde to score a touchdown

This might not initially seem to be such a big call given the volume of touches Carlos Hyde has received this season. However, Hyde only has four scores in 2017 and has not found the endzone in three meetings with the Bears in his career.

With Garoppolo under center the chances of the 49ers threatening the endzone on a more consistent basis are increased and Hyde should see plenty of goal line to allow him to end his drought.

1. Jordan Howard to be kept under 100 yards rushing

Whisper it quietly, but the 49ers’ much-maligned run defense is improving. Statistically it is no longer the worst run defense in the league, though the Niners still rank 30th in the NFL, and it is 22nd in DVOA. The Seattle Seahawks, even with Russell Wilson scrambling, were held to 90 yards on the ground last week.

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Chicago’s run game is substantially better than that of Seattle but Howard’s numbers have declined this year, his yards-per-carry average dropping from 5.2 to 4.3 and, should the 49ers’ passing game improve as expected with Garoppolo, then game-flow may prevent Howard from replicating his 117-yard, three score showing from the same fixture in 2016.