Hub Arkush: Favored Bears must come through Sunday against 49ers

Looking as though they were dead, the Bears have made a late season resurgence, and now sit at 5-6, one game out of a wildcard spot.

Earlier this week, NFL Thursday Night Football saw the Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions, and although it looked like the Lions had the game in the bag, a spectacular comeback in the second half by the Packers saw them take the spoils to move to 8-4.

The Bears can’t overlook San Francisco.

Defensively, San Francisco ranks 29th in total defense, 28th against the pass and 25th against the run. They have lost eight of their last ten games.

They also won their first road game (1-5) and ended a seven-game road losing streak, dating to last season. He finished with 196 yards through the air on 18 of 32 passing and added 75 yards rushing, on six attempts. Carlos Hyde will miss his fifth straight game, so Draughn who hasn’t reached the 100-yard mark will carry the load again.

Oddsmakers from online sports book RealBet.eu have installed the Bears as a 7.5-point home favorite over the 49ers after Chicago opened as a 7-point favorite. With the quarterback and running back troubles for San Francisco, and their line being decimated, the Bears defensive line may have a great day. This definitely could be a confidence booster for Chicago’s struggling run defense.

“So it’s always a challenge to hold yourself down as a coach from not inserting things that you know could possibly help from a schematic standpoint but if you’re not ready for it would end up being a detriment”. They’ll also be without TE Garrett Celek, WR Jerome Simpson, WR DeAndrew White, CB Chris Davis, and G Brandon Thomas.

The Bears finally woke up and Jay Cutler went to work with a couple of nice passes to Josh Bellamy and Alshon Jeffery for 19 and 24 yards respectivly.

Due to the Bears recent play, I believe then Bears will get to a 6-6 record after Sunday’s match up.

Well, of the 23 touchdowns allowed by the Bears defense this season, 20 have been on receptions, thus signaling the 49ers’ easiest path across the goal line. Cutler is going to get his opportunity to shine in this one as well, as the 49ers are now the 2nd worst team against the pass while they are on the road, allowing an average of 312 yards per game to opposing passers. While last week the 49ers offense couldn’t do much of anything against the Cardinals in our simulation, they certianly played a more competitive game on Sunday. “But, if we play like this, we can win some games”. Players like Bellamy and Sherrick McManis are first on the scene to make tackles and limit production.