49ers vs. Bears: A prospector's guide

The 49ers return to action on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears, looking to shake off the stink of last week's 24-24 tie with the Rams. The winner of this game gains control of the second seed in the NFC playoff picture. I would argue the Bears have more to gain with a win since they would move 1 1/2 games up, but even still, a win would put the 49ers ahead of the Bears.

The matchup brings together the top two scoring defenses in the league, with the 49ers giving up 14.1 yards points per game and the Bears giving up 14.8. The 49ers hold the all-time edge, leading the series 31-29-1, and sitting 21-12 at home. The two teams have met four times on Monday Night Football, but not since 1991. The 49ers won that one 52-14 at Candlestick.

The last time these two met was in 2009, in a fairly hideous 10-6 game on Thursday Night Football. The game concluded when Jay Cutler threw his fifth interception of the game. The Bears had driven down to the 49ers 12 and had two shots at the end zone. On the second one, Cutler was picked in the end zone by Michael Lewis. It was not a pretty game by any stretch.

Coaching Connections

• 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and offensive coordinator Greg Roman coached with Bears defensive backs coach Jon Hoke with the Houston Texans from 2002-05; Fangio was the defensive coordinator, Roman was the tight ends coach (2002-03) and quar- terbacks coach (2004-05) and Hoke was the defensive backs coach.

• 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari coached the Seattle Seahawks offensive line from 2008-09 while Bears defensive line coach Mike Phair was the Seahawks linebackers coach (2008) and assistant de- fensive line coach (2009).

• 49ers wide receivers coach John Morton was the offensive coordi- nator/wide receivers coach at the University of Southern California while Bears quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates was the assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach for the Trojans in 2009.

  49ers-Chicago Connections

• 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was the Chicago Bears 1st round draft choice in 1987 and played for the Bears from 1987-93. Har- baugh is Chicago's franchise leader in attempts (1,759) and comple- tions (1,023). His 58.2 completion percentage and 11,567 passing yards are the 3rd most in Bears franchise history. He also ranks 5th in QB rating (74.2) and 7th with 50 TD passes.

• 49ers QB coach Geep Chryst was on the Chicago Bears coaching staff from 1991-95 as their director of research/quality control.

• WR Kyle Williams' father, Ken, is the general manager of the Chicago White Sox. Kyle was drafted by the White Sox in the 47th round of the 2006 MLB Draft.

• WR A.J. Jenkins starred at the University of Illinois from 2008-11.

• RB Brandon Jacobs played one season at Southern Illinois, 2004.

  Chicago-Nor-CaL Connections

• Bears LB Blake Costanzo played for the 49ers in 2011 where he finished second on the team with 17 special teams tackles and led the team with 4 special teams tackles in the postseason.

• Bears G Chilo Rachal played for the 49ers from 2008-2011.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 61
Series record: 49ers lead series 31-29-1
49ers home record vs. Bears: 49ers lead series 21-12
First Meeting: 9/24/50, Bears win 32-20, at SF
Last Meeting: 11/12/09, 49ers win 10-6, at SF
Current Streak: Won 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 6 (12/6/69 - 11/16/75)
Longest Bears Win Streak: 3 - 4 times (Last 10/31/04 - 10/29/06)
Most 49ers Points: 52 - 2 times (Last 12/23/91, 52-14, at SF)
Most Bears Points: 61 (12/12/65), 61-20 at Chi.
49ers Shutouts: 5 (Last 12/17/00), 49ers win 17-0 at SF
Bears Shutouts: 2 (Last 10/22/61), Bears win 31-0 at Chi.

2012 Statistics