San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears: A Prospector's Guide
by David Fucillo on Nov 10, 2009 7:00 AM PST
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The 49ers host the Chicago Bears in the first Thursday game of the season on the NFL Network. At some point today I'm hoping to hear from someone in the NFL's media department as to whether the game will be airing somewhere online. NBC streams the Sunday Night Football game, so I'd certainly hope the NFL Network would do something similar. We'll see. Either way, the 49ers face a quick turnaround and will hopefully get their act together sooner rather than later.
The 49ers host the Chicago Bears in what will be the 62nd meeting between the two teams, dating back to 1950. The last time San Francisco played the Bears at home was in 2003, when they defeated Chicago, 49-7, at Candlestick Park. The 49ers have a 6-1-1 record when playing on Thursdays, having last defeated the Seahawks, 24-14, at Seattle
(12/14/06).
The 49ers look to snap a four-game losing streak after falling to the Tennessee Titans, 34-27, last week. In that game, TE Vernon Davis recorded career-highs with 10 receptions and 102 yards, while QB Alex Smith completed a career-high 29 passes on 45 attempts for 286 yards and two touchdowns. However, four costly turnovers (3 INTs and
1 fumble) by San Francisco proved to be the difference as the Titans scored 24 of their points following takeaways.
49ers-Bears Connections
Coaching Connections
• 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and Bears QBs coach Pep Hamilton were both with the New York Jets in 2003. Raye then served as asst. head coach/senior offensive assistant while Hamilton served as offensive quality control coordinator.
• 49ers TE coach Pete Hoener served under Bears head coach Lovie Smith as the Bears offensive line coach in 2004.
• 49ers OL coach Chris Foerster and Bears head coach Lovie Smith coached together during their tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2000. Foerster served in the same capacity while Smith served as LBs coach.
Players
FORMER BEARS - 49ers head coach Mike Singletary was drafted by the Bears as the 38th overall pick in the 1981NFL Draft. Singletary spent 12 seasons with the Bears while also helping the team win a Super Bowl Championship in 1985 ... 49ers pass rush specialist coach Al Harris was the 9th overall draft pick by the Bears in 1979 and played with Chicago from 1979–84 and then again from 1986-88 ... 49ers TE coach Pete Hoener served as offensive line coach for the Bears in 2004.
FORMER 49ERS - Bears DT Anthony Adams was originally a 2nd round pick (57th overall) by the 49ers in the 2003 NFL Draft and was on the team until 2006 ... Bears QB coach Pep Hamilton served as an offensive assistant/quarterbacks with the 49ers in 2006.
ILLINOIS TIES – 49ers TE coach Pete Hoener served as an OL coach at Univ. of Illinois from 1986-88, and offensive line coach at Illinois State in1977. Hoener also played football and earned a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in 1974 ... 49ers LB coach Vantz Singletary began his coaching career at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois and tenured at there from 1992-96.
CALIFORNIA CONNECTIONS – Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner was the head coach at San Jose State in 1992. Turner was also an offensive coordinator/QB coach at Stanford from 1989-91. Turner is a native of Martinez, CA ... Bears Asst. Head Coach/DL Rod Marinelli coached the defensive line at the University of California from 1983-89 and was promoted to assistant head coach from 1990-91 ... Bears Assistant DB/Safeties coach Gill Byrd played as a defensive back for San Jose State from 1978-82. Byrd was born in San Francisco, CA ... Bears LB Lance Briggs is a Sacramento, CA native ... Bears WR Rashied Davis (2000-01) and DT Jarron Gilbert (2005-08) played at San Jose State University.
HELLO AGAIN – 49ers WR Isaac Bruce was a teammate of Bears T Orlando Pace with the Rams from 1997-2007, as well as LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (2003-2007). 49ers CB Dré Bly also played with Pace from 1999-2002 while with St. Louis.
"U" KNOW ME - 49ers RB Frank Gore and Bears WR/PR Devin Hester lettered together at the university of Miami, (Fla.) for two season (2003-04). Gore also lettered with Bears TE Greg Olsen during the 2004 season.
BAYOU BROTHERS - 49ers S Curtis Taylor and Bears S Craig Steltz both were letter winners at Louisiana State from 2005-07.
WARRIORS! - 49ers DT Isaac Sopoaga and Bears LB Pisa Tinoisamoa lettered together at Hawaii during the 2002 season.38th overall pick.
Series Highlights
Matchups: 61
Series Record: 49ers Lead Series 30-29-1
49ers Home Record vs. Bears: 49ers Lead Series 18-12
First Meeting: 9/24/50, 49ers lose, 32-20
Last Meeting: 10/29/06, 49ers lose, 41-10
Current Streak: Lost 3
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 6 (12/6/69-11/16/75)
Longest Bears Win Streak: 3 (Four Times)
Most 49ers Points: 52 (9/19/65), 52-24; (12/23/91), 52-14
Most Bears Points: 61 (12/12/65), 61-20, at Chicago
49ers Shutout: 2; (11/19/50 & 10/22/61)
Bears Shutout: 5 Times (Last: 12/17/00 - 49ers win 17-0)
CHICAGO 41, SAN FRANCISCO 10
At Chicago, IL, October 29, 2006
The Chicago Bears jumped out to a 24-0 1st quarter lead and took a 41-0 lead into the half before coasting to a 41-10 victory over San Francisco. The Bears converted four 1st half turnovers into 28 points, including three turnovers in the 1st quarter. Four of Chicago’s 1st half scoring drives started inside San Francisco territory due to the three turnovers and a 42-yard punt return. Chicago recovered 49ers fumbles at the 49ers 15-yard line and 13-yard line and intercepted a pass at the 49ers 41-yard line in the 1st quarter. The Bears then returned a punt 42 yards to begin a drive at the San Francisco 24-yard line early in the 2nd quarter that led to another score.
Despite the loss, RB Frank Gore played a solid game. Gore registered his third 100-yard game of the season with 12 carries for 111 yards. He had a season-long 53-yard run in the 4th quarter to set up the 49ers first points on a 23-yard FG by PK Joe Nedney. QB Alex Smith stood strong in the pocket against the Bears 2nd-ranked defense, completing 16 of 26 pass attempts for 146 yards, including a 16-yard TD pass to WR Antonio Bryant in the 4th quarter. The Bears chalked up 289 yards in the 1st half and then were held to 113 in the 2nd half. The Bears went ahead 10-0 before the 49ers offense even had a chance to run a single play. After marching down the field for a field goal to open the game, the Bears recovered a RB Maurice Hicks fumble on the ensuing kickoff to begin at the 15-yard line. Two plays later, RB Thomas Jones scored on a seven-yard run for a 10-0 lead.
After falling behind 34-0 in the 2nd quarter, Smith tried to get the 49ers back in the game, hitting Bryant on a 16-yard pass to the Chicago 30-yard line. However, Bryant fumbled on a hard hit by SS Todd Johnson and the Bears recovered with 1:12 to play. Instead of running out the clock, Bears QB Rex Grossman executed a perfect two-minute drill down to the San Francisco 27-yard line, where he connected with TE Desmond Clark for a touchdown and a 41-0 lead.
2009 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | BEARS (rank) | |
| 3-5 (T-2nd NFCW) | Record | 4-4 (t-2nd NFCN) |
| 21.8 (19th) | Points per game | 22.5 (t-16th) |
| 285.6 (27th) | Total Offense | 332.4 (19th) |
| 101.4 (21st) | Rushing Offense | 90.5 (28th) |
| 184.3 (22nd) | Passing Offense | 241.9 (11th) |
| 29:41 (18th) | Possession Avg | 29:47 (17th) |
| 21.8 (t-17th) | Points allowed/gm | 23.9 (22nd) |
| 334.3 (19th) | Total Defense | 326.0 (15th) |
| 93.3 (5th) | Rushing Defense | 119.5 (21st) |
| 241.0 (24th) | Passing Defense | 206.5 (12th) |
| 17 (t-18th) | Sacks | 16 (t-23rd) |
| 48.5 (2nd) | Punting Avg (Gross) | 40.3 (30th) |
| -3 (t-22nd) | Turnover Differential | -1 (t-20th) |
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Comments
Quick question
Besides that one Pats vs Giants game two years ago, has the NFL multicast an NFL Network game on another station? I know there was a huge blow up over that game since most of us here in the CT-NY-NJ area are stuck with dumb [site decorum] Cablevision that can’t figure out how to sign a contract with NFLN, so a huge chunk of both Pats and Giants fans wouldn’t have been able to watch it. But a game like this won’t get the same uprising. So I’m just curious if there’s other instances where that’s happened and if there’s a chance it’ll air on another station.
If I remember correctly
the last time the 49ers played on Thursday, the game was aired on The CW network.
Just checked
The CW will air the game locally.
Not sure
I’d swear I saw the commerical on KPIX-5. But they own both stations so maybe they were advertising for CW.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
CW
During Sunday’s game they said it would be airing on the CW.
by David Fucillo on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
So from the sound of it
It will only be airing on CW locally in the Niners market. That sucks…
MYTV-50 WPWR in Chicago will broadcast the game locally. I only have an antenna and they find away to broadcast it if your in the local market. Since CW rides on WGN, and WGN is partitally owned by Comcast (or the other way around) I don’t know why its not on there.
Last year the MyTV network broadcasted the game and its on the tv schedules.
Thanks Fooch
And Sebaz, it will also air locally on NFLN if you have it.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Unfortunately
my cable company can’t seem to figure out how to get a contract together with NFLN. But this is a fun little FAQ from their site:
Cablevision customers* receive all New York Jets and Giants home and away games as well as approximately 50 nationally-televised regular season games, including all Sunday and Monday night football games plus the playoffs.
In addition, unlike our competitors, all of the NFL football games are available in high-definition at no additional charge.
Cablevision does not currently carry the NFL Network.
How nice of them… Though I just noticed the Giants v Broncos and Jets v Bills Thurs. night NFLN games will be on the local CW… yay!
Also, here’s an interesting bit from wikipedia:
Carriage disputes
Cablevision did not carry most of the games of the New York Yankees in 2002, because they would not accept the price asked by YES Network. A deal was made the following year. Cablevision has also never carried the NFL Network, as the company has stated that it would like to be able to carry NFL Sunday Ticket (which is, by contract, exclusive to DirecTV until the 2014 season) before it carries NFL Network. This has been criticized by New Jersey legislators.
So yeah, looks like it’s the bar Thursday night for me
I have NFL network so it's all good for me
Niners have lost 4 straight and if somehow we don’t feed Gore more and stop giving Alex Smith too many chances to f up we will lose 5 straight. Of course for this to work we need to build an early lead. Jay Cutler will probably have a nice day vs. our secondary. We need to come out swinging cuz it’s not too hard to put up points against the Bears (22nd in points allowed) should be a good game considering that even if the niners have been losing we haven’t been getting blown out except the falcon game. Hope we win! Go Niners!
hello 49ers fans
Love me some Singletary, but I’m leaning towards taking the visiting Bears in the weekly (not for money) poll. The line seems to be almost pick’em, with home SF laying 3 on the bears. We pick just straight up winners. All I know about SF is that they came roaring out of the gate but have fizzled. I’d have no problem taking SF to win but I would love to hear from some objective 49ers fans what they think about the matchup.
You play to win the game!
I just really hope that the niners realize that this is a MUST WIN just like any other game, but this really is a make or break game for them if they really want to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs. But above all, i want to see improvement, and i almost believe the short week helps them if anything since they can’t worry about the titans game anymore, they got to prepare right away for the Bears. So i look for some improvement by the defense and who are the realy threats on offense, Forte? Cutler?
Who has the better run game?
I think it will come down to just that because I think there is rain predicted in the forecast. I hope the weatherman is wrong because I dont like attending rainy games.
The Bears are in disarray
Their HC has no control on his team.
They’ve won four games. Three against weak/terrible teams (Seattle, Detroit and Cleveland). One against Pittsburgh by three at home without Troy Polamalu.
They were outplayed in losses to GB and Atlanta and were humiliated by the Bengals and the Cardinals.
Despite their five losses, the 49ers have been more competitive and much more consistent.
VD and Crabtree should have breakout games against the Bears ineffective secondary.
Coaching will prevail in this game. The 49ers have a real HC who gets the most out of his players.
The Bears have a man named ‘Lovie’ who always has the same confused look on his face when the camera catches him on the sideline. The look that says:
“Where am I?” “Who am I?” “Why am I here?”
No way SF loses this game. The players ‘love’ and respect their HC and they know just how much a victory against his former team means to him.
The 49ers win this one for the Samurai on Thursday.
I hope ur right
We need this win. Hope we beat them down. Hope we get big games from VD, Crabs, and Gore.
by 49ersAllTheWay on Nov 10, 2009 1:17 PM PST up reply actions
No games are easy
and the Bears have been humiliated recently. They’ve got a lot of talented players and are capable of beating most teams if they play up to their capabilities.
They obviously are going to want to find a measure of redemption in a nationally televised game. They are the very definition of a desperate team.
But even despite the Atlanta blowout and last week’s loss to the Titan’s I’m much more impressed with how Singletary’s 49ers play than with Lovie’s Bears.
I've thought the Bears were over-rated all season
The arrival of Cutler gave them undeserved hype. Remember when the experts were assuming that all three North teams might make the playoffs?
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Well, they were 9-7 last season
with three losses that they could’ve/should’ve won (TB, Car, ATL).
Cutler isn’t the problem (outside of his opening game against GB).
The defense is terrible. Yeah they lost Urlacher which would be like the 49ers losing Willis, but still.
Carson Palmer had 5 TD’s . . . and 4 incompletions in their beatdown in Cincinnati. That may be the only time in NFL history when a QB had more TD passes than incompletions.
Their HC cannot do the one thing a HC needs to do . . . get the most of out his personnel.
No disagreement
My point was that the arrival of Cutler brought about SB expectations where people assumed they’d run the ball and play defense as they had in the past, now with a top QB to boot. But when looking at the full team, they’re pretty average. You mentioned three games they could’ve won last year but there were four (PHI, MIN, DET, GB) they could’ve/should’ve lost. So they were right where they deserved to be: barely above .500 and out of the playoffs. Outside of changing QBs to a guy with better stats but less leadership, I don’t see them as being more than a 9 win team at best again.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Is the 49ers Frank Gore going to play?
doesn’t a lot of their success hinge on him?
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Nov 10, 2009 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
our 3 wins
against two really bad teams, one ok team, and we cant beat anybody outside our division so im pretty sure we lose. same old 9ers of the new millenium, season over at mid season. and dont give crap about we still have a chance. start playing for the draft so we can actually get a good lineman, with both our picks
by david w gibson on Nov 10, 2009 1:48 PM PST up reply actions
and you sir
sound like a negative neddy, so I’m going to disregard that
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Nov 10, 2009 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
At this point
I think AZ is deserving of more than an OK team. Defending division and conference champ that is 4-0 on the road. Other than Minnesota and New Orleans, what other NFC team can truly declare being better than them?
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
eagle, cowboys, atlanta even ?Carolina?
but ur right, they truely are the best in the west, at least until the niners stop shooting themselves in the foot. penalties and turnovers will decide what the niners do the rest of the season.
by david w gibson on Nov 10, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions
None of those can claim to be better
And since AZ beat three of them in the playoffs and the fourth hasn’t won a playoff game since last century, the Cards, whom I dislike, can certainly claim to be no worse at this point. Where will they all end up? 8 more weeks will tell us.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
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