THE MATCHUP: BEARS VS. 49ERS
MARK POTASH ON THE BEARS
Chicago Bears and Houston Texans players prepare for a play at the line of scrimmage in the first half an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
BEARS AT 49ERS
Time: 7:30 p.m. Monday at Candlestick Park.
TV: ESPN (Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters).
Radio: 780-AM, 105.9-FM. • Line: 49ers by 61/2.
STAFF PICKS
RICK MORRISSEY
17-10
Season: 8-1
DAN McGRATH
27-10
Season: 6-3
Adam L. Jahns
20-17
Season: 4-1
RICK TELANDER
21-19
Season: 8-1
SEAN JENSEN
16-13
Season: 6-3
MARK POTASH
13-10
Season: 7-2
X-FACTOR
Both teams will be starting either their No. 2 QB or a starter coming off a concussion. Jay Cutler usually struggles off an injury, at least at the outset. Jason Campbell is a quality starter but coming in cold as a No. 2 is not the same thing. If Campbell starts, it still might work to the Bears’ advantage if they’re committed to establishing a running game. But on the road in a prime-time game vs. one of the best defenses in football, the best-laid plans can fall apart quickly.
SPECIAL TEAMS
What was once a luxury is becoming a necessity against playoff-caliber teams — the Bears could use points from Devin Hester. Though Hester had a 24-yard punt return vs. the Texans, he’s not in that groove that makes him a threat to score every time. Randall Cobb had a 75-yard punt-return TD vs. the 49ers in Week 1. The Bears’ coverage units — which rank third in the NFL in both punts and kickoffs — will be tested vs. the 49ers’ Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams.
WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
ON THE GROUND
Establishing a running game against the 49ers’ stout defense will be the big challenge for the Bears after the Texans shut down Matt Forte (16-39, 2.4) last week. Forte, who had averaged 4.0 ypc or better in each game before facing the Texans, didn’t have a lot of room to run and didn’t make much out of nothing like he normally does. A little change of pace might not hurt against a 49ers defense that is 7th in the NFL vs. the run. Michael Bush had only 2 carries after fumbling on an 11-yard gain on his first carry. FB Evan Rodriguez could play a more prominent role in the run game.
KEY MATCHUP
Willis is a 5-time Pro Bowl player. He can be blocked, though, and it’ll be up to the interior of the Bears’ line — including Rachal, an ex-49er — to occupy Willis and give Matt Forte room to run.
IN THE AIR
The Bears are more confident with Jason Campbell replacing Jay Cutler, but Campbell is in a tough spot against a defense that ranks 5th against the pass and 4th in opponents’ passer rating despite having only six INTs and 17 sacks. A key factor will be Campbell’s ability to make plays out of the pocket — a necessity vs. the 49ers’ disciplined, well-tackling defense. Campbell threw a 45-yard pass to Brandon Marshall last week, but it’s imperative that other WRs produce. The return of Alshon Jeffery should help. For what it’s worth, TEs have caught 4 of the 8 passing TDs vs. the 49ers.
WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL
ON THE GROUND
It’ll be strength vs. strength as the Bears’ 4th-ranked run defense tries to contain the 49ers’ top-ranked rushing offense. RB Frank Gore (140-753, 5.4, 5 TDs) is still one of the best in the NFL behind a workmanlike offensive line that includes Pro Bowl LT Joe Staley and RT Anthony Davis (acquired with a draft pick the Bears traded to the Broncos for Jay Cutler). The 49ers aren’t easily deterred, averaging 30 carries per game. Neither team does anything too fancy in the run game, but the Bears might have to get inventive against a 49ers offense that is good at what it does.
KEY MATCHUP
It all starts up front, and the Bears need Peppers to win this matchup of Pro Bowl linemen. Staley is equally adept in pass protection and the run game. Peppers is known for his sack totals but also is one of the best vs. the run.
IN THE AIR
QB Alex Smith is recovering from a concussion but is expected to play. Without a dynamic passing offense, Smith is third in the NFL in passer rating (104.0), mostly because he isn’t asked to do too much and doesn’t make many mistakes — he completes 70 percent of his passes and has thrown 5 INTs. If Smith can’t go, Colin Kaepernick is more vulnerable to the Bears’ turnover-inducing offense but also is a threat because of his mobility (8-66, 1 TD vs. the Rams). Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham are good WRs. But TE Vernon Davis is the biggest threat.
THE 49ERS
Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Record: 6-2-1
Offensive starters
No. Player Pos. Inj.
11 Alex Smith QB Q
15 Michael Crabtree WR
21 Frank Gore RB P
49 Bruce Miller FB
59 Jonathan Goodwin C P
74 Joe Staley OT
75 Alex Boone OT
76 Anthony Davis OT
77 Mike Iupati OG P
84 Randy Moss WR
85 Vernon Davis TE
defensive starters
22 Carlos Rogers CB
25 Tarell Brown CB
31 Donte Whitner S
38 Dashon Goldson S P
52 Patrick Willis LB P
53 NaVorro Bowman LB
55 Ahmad Brooks LB
90 Isaac Sopoaga DT
91 Ray McDonald DT
94 Justin Smith DT
99 Aldon Smith LB
Special teams/
reserves
2 David Akers PK
3 Scott Tolzien QB
4 Andy Lee P
7 Colin Kaepernick QB
10 Kyle Williams WR
17 A.J. Jenkins WR
19 Ted Ginn WR
20 Perrish Cox CB
23 LaMichael James RB
24 Anthony Dixon RB P
26 Tramaine Brock CB
27 C.J. Spillman S
28 Darcel McBath S
29 Chris Culliver CB P
30 Trenton Robinson S
32 Kendall Hunter RB
45 Brandon Jacobs RB
46 Delanie Walker TE
48 Will Tukuafu DT P
51 Clark Haggans LB
54 Larry Grant LB
56 Tavares Gooden LB P
66 Joe Looney G
67 Daniel Kilgore G
68 Leonard Davis G
81 Garrett Celek TE
82 Mario Manningham WR P
83 Demarcus Dobbs TE
86 Brian Jennings TE
93 Ian Williams DT
95 Ricky Jean Francois DT
THE BEARS
Coach: Lovie Smith
Record: 7-2
Offensive starters
No. Player Pos. Inj.
2 Jason Campbell QB
15 Brandon Marshall WR
22 Matt Forte RB
23 Devin Hester WR
48 Evan Rodriguez TE
60 Lance Louis OG
63 Roberto Garza C
62 Chilo Rachal OG
72 Gabe Carimi OT
73 J’Marcus Webb OT
87 Kellen Davis TE
DEFENSIVE starters
21 Major Wright S
26 Tim Jennings CB
33 Charles Tillman CB
47 Chris Conte S
53 Nick Roach LB
54 Brian Urlacher LB
55 Lance Briggs LB
71 Israel Idonije DE
69 Henry Melton DT P
90 Julius Peppers DE
92 Stephen Paea DT
Special teams/
reserves
6 Jay Cutler QB out
8 Adam Podlesh P
9 Robbie Gould PK
12 Josh McCown QB
14 Eric Weems WR
17 Alshon Jeffery WR P
18 Dane Sanzenbacher WR
20 Craig Steltz S
24 Kelvin Hayden CB
25 Armando Allen RB
27 Sherrick McManis CB
29 Michael Bush RB
30 D.J. Moore CB
37 Anthony Walters S
38 Zack Bowman CB
52 Blake Costanzo LB
58 Geno Hayes LB
65 Patrick Mannelly LS
67 Chris Spencer C/G
70 Edwin Williams OG
75 Matt Toeaina DT out
79 Jonathan Scott OT
80 Earl Bennett WR
86 Kyle Adams TE
89 Matt Spaeth TE
91 Amobi Okoye DT
93 Nate Collins DT
95 Cheta Ozougwu LB
97 J.T. Thomas LB
98 Corey Wootton DE
99 Shea McClellin LB out
