The San Francisco 49ers head on the road this week to face the Chicago Bears, in the first of back-to-back road games. The game kicks off at 10:00 a.m. PT, and will air on FOX. The announcer crew consists of Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston in the booth, and Laura Okmin on the sideline. This is the first time in a month we have not had Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale as the announcing crew. No Tony Jerod-Ellie or Arik Armstrong this week!
The 49ers and Bears seem to be headed in different directions. The 49ers have lost four of their last five, have changed quarterbacks, and are dealing with all sorts of issues. The Bears have won three of their last four. They started off the season 0-3, although that was likely due in large part to a Jay Cutler injury. Cutler took some time to get going, but he is playing some solid football the last few weeks. Couple that with a defense looking sharper and sharper under Vic Fangio, and the Bears could challenge for a wildcard berth.
Chicago opened as a 6.5-point favorite, and the line has bumped up to as high as 7.5 points at the moment. The 49ers have covered two of their last three games, including their loss to the Arizona Cardinals and win over the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers are 3-3 SU and 4-1 ATS at home, but 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS on the road. They are giving up 15.8 points per game at home, and 35.2 points per game on the road. The team has serious road issues they have yet to figure out. They can be competitive with the Bears, but not if they bring that kind of road effort.
The 49ers are back to their regular media schedule after a truncated version over Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, Jim Tomsula meeting the media at 10:30 a.m., and that will be followed by Bears head coach John Fox speaking with Bay Area media on a conference call at 11:20 a.m. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert and special teams coach Thomas McGaughey then speak at 11:45. The locker room will be open from 12 to 12:45, and the team will practice at 2 p.m. Cornerback Tracy Porter is the Bears player speaking with Bay Area media at 12:15 p.m.
On Thursday, Eric Mangini and Geep Chryst will meet with the media at 11:45 a.m. That will be followed by locker room availability from 12:00 to 12:45, and then practice at 2:00 p.m. On Friday, Jim Tomsula will speak at 10:30 a.m., practice will get going at 11:20 a.m., and locker room availability will be after practice. The team will likely depart for Chicago soon after.
Matchups: 63
Series Record: 49ers lead series 32-30-1
49ers Away Record vs. Bears: Bears lead series 17-10-1
First Meeting: 9/24/50, Bears win 32-20, at SF
Last Meeting: 9/14/14, Bears win 28-20, at SF
Current Streak: Lost 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): 49ers win 52-14, at SF
Most Bears Points: 61 (12/12/65): Bears win 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.
WR Anquan Boldin
- As a member of the Arizona Cardinals in 2006, tallied 12 receptions for a game-high 136 yards and 1 TD vs. Chi. (10/16/06).
LB NaVorro Bowman
- Registered a game-high 12 tackles in the 49ers 32-7 win vs. Chi. on 11/19/12.
WR Torrey Smith
- As a member of the Baltimore Ravens, registered 32 yards and 1 TD on 5 receptions on 11/17/13 at Chi.
2015 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | BEARS (rank) | |
| 3-8 (4th NFCW) | Record | 5-6 (t-3rd NFCN) |
| 13.8 (32nd) | Points per game | 21.0 (t-24th) |
| 295.5 (32nd) | Total Offense | 346.5 (20th) |
| 97.1 (20th) | Rushing Offense | 110.7 (16th) |
| 198.4 (30th) | Passing Offense | 235.7 (21st) |
| 26:47 (31st) | Possession Avg | 31:05 (8th) |
| 24.6 (21st) | Points allowed/gm | 24.0 (19th) |
| 397.9 (29th) | Total Defense | 343.1 (14th) |
| 121.1 (25th) | Rushing Defense | 128.5 (29th) |
| 276.8 (28th) | Passing Defense | 214.5 (2nd) |
| 19 (t-27th) | Sacks | 22 (22nd) |
| 44.2 (23rd) | Punting Avg (Gross) | 44.4 (21st) |
| -3 (t-21st) | Turnover Differential | -1 (t-18th) |