The Bears head to San Francisco to play the 49ers in a game which could have a big impact on the seeding in the NFC playoff race. The winner of tonight's game will be in the number 2 spot. If the Chicago Bears lose the game, they would drop to 5th in the seeding, as the Packers would go top of the NFC North, courtesy of the head to head record.
A week or two ago, both sides would have been looking forward to this one, knowing that it could have a huge impact on their season. Since then, both teams have lost their starting quarterback and both will be feeling a bit more nervous about the game, than they would have at full strength. Of the backups, I think the Bears have the edge. Jason Campbell is an experienced, NFL quarterback. His career numbers are only just behind Jay Cutler's, so the transition should be as straightforward as it can be. The 49ers, on the other hand, face a much more difficult task. Colin Kaepernick is in his second season in the league and this will be the first start of his career. A first NFL start is a big deal for any young quarterback, but to have to do it in as big a game as this, and on Monday Night Football, is a huge ask for the 25 year old.
Both teams have strong running games, which should ease the pressure on the backup quarterbacks. The 49ers lead the league in rushing, mainly due to the form of running-back, Frank Gore. Gore has ran for 753 yards this season, at 5.4 yards per carry. Those are impressive numbers and he has been helped out by Kendall Hunter, who is having an impressive year. Hunter has picked up 316 yards, at 5 yards per carry. The Bears rushers haven't quite been at that level and they rank 9th in rushing. The Bears have two good running-backs. Matt Forte and Michael Bush are both good enough to be starters at the majority of NFL teams but instead, they are sharing carries in Chicago. I'm not totally convinced this works and think it can stop a running-back gaining momentum. Forte and Bush have combined for 6 touchdowns. Forte is doing the better of the two and has ran for 578 yards, at 4.7 yards per carry. Bush has ran for 297 yards, at 3.7 yards per carry. Bush is better than his numbers show and he will need to bring his A-game tonight.
Both sides are among the best defenses in the league. Although the 49ers have given up less yards, the Bears are the better defense. The Bears have recorded more sacks, more interceptions, more forced fumbles and most impressively, they have seven defensive touchdowns. In a game like tonight's, those things are going to give the Bears a huge advantage. There's not a worse team, a quarterback could be making his first NFL start against, than this Chicago Bears team. They have made life difficult for much better quarterbacks than Colin Kaepernick and I can't see any outcome other than them making his first NFL start, a day he'd rather forget.
Prediction - The Bears defense will force mistakes and lead the team to a win on the road.
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