4:05 pm
December 23

Bears @ 49ers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Chicago Bears (10-4)

@ San Francisco 49ers (4-10)

 

Current odds:

Chicago Bears: (-220)

San Francisco 49ers: (+180)

 

 The line for this game is Chicago by 4 points.

• The Chicago Bears concluded a complete turnaround last week, going from worst in the NFC North last season to clinching their first division title since 2010. With the playoff appearance now locked up, the Bears hope to finish with a flurry on the road as they wrap up the regular season with back-to-back games away from home, beginning with Sunday’s contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Mitchell Trubisky threw a pair of touchdown passes in Chicago’s 24-17 home triumph over Green Bay last Sunday, the club’s seventh win in eight overall games and second in its last 11 meetings with the division-rival Packers. The Bears still have a chance to improve their seeding in the NFC playoffs as they can climb into one of the top two spots, which would give them a first-round bye and a potential extra home game.

• San Francisco is seeking a season-high third consecutive victory after edging visiting Seattle 26-23 in overtime last week. The 49ers have recorded all four of their wins this season at home but suffered a 28-20 loss the last time they hosted Chicago on Sept. 14, 2014.

• Trubisky set the franchise record for most games in a season with a passer rating of 120 or better last week with his fourth (120.4). He threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns without an interception to break a tie with the trio of Sid Luckman (1943), Rudy Bukich (1965) and Erik Kramer (1995). Running back Tarik Cohen is one of three players in the league with a TD run (two), catch (five) and pass (one) this season.

• George Kittle has been a bright spot for San Francisco this season as he ranks second in the league in yards after catches with 743 and second among tight ends with 1,154 receiving yards. Kicker Robbie Gould was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the seventh time in his career after going 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and converting both of his extra-point tries. Defensive end DeForest Buckner has recorded a career-high 11 sacks this season, including 6.5 in his last six contests.

• San Francisco FB Kyle Juszczyk was named to his third Pro Bowl and Kittle was selected for his first.

• Chicago will be represented in the Pro Bowl by five players, with LB Khalil Mack making his fourth appearance while KR Cohen, CB Kyle Fuller, S Eddie Jackson – who will miss Sunday’s game with a foot injury – and DT Akiem Hicks make their first.

• The 49ers placed CB Ahkello Witherspoon (knee) on injured reserve and signed DB Tyvis Powell.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Chicago Bears