Brandon Shively
San Francisco 49ers -6½ -110
You won't find me laying more than a field goal often in the NFL, but this Sunday night I feel the 49ers have a big advantage, and I am calling for a B-L-O-W-O-U-T For beginners, San Fran is 8-0 ATS the last 8 home meetings vs. the Bears. The last time they met was in 2012 when the 49ers won 32-7 on a Monday Night Football game when Kaepernick made his first career start. I will note that Jason Cambell was the quarterback for the Bears and that's some of the reason they only scored 7 points. Sure, I think the Bears score 17-20 points in this game, but it won't be easy and it will not be enough.
Jay Cutler proved last week vs. the Bills that he is still interception prone by throwing 2 INT's. The guy is a 'gun slinger', but sometimes he just throws it up for grabs. He figures to be under pressure this Sunday night as the Bears are expected to miss their starting center and left guard. Also the Bears two big explosive wide receivers, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey are listed as questionable. Jeffrey is nursing a hamstring injury while Marshall didn't practice on Friday but did participate in the walk-through portion. While both guys might play, I have to question how effective they will be if not 100%. The Bears are already without their two reserve wide receivers, Josh Morgan and Marquess Wilson and now the offense is lacking serious depth for this game.
The 49ers were able to rest and take it easy in Week 1 as they had a comfortable lead on the Cowboys at half. I will say they are the much fresher team for this game as the Bears had to go toe-to-toe with Buffalo, only to lose in overtime which in turns gives them no momentum for tonight's game. It should also be noted that the Bears are only 2-16 ATS on the road when the total is set at 45 or more points.
While San Fran's secondary is also banged up, I do think that they can win the battle at the line of scrimmage, put pressure on Cutler, and hold their own against the Bears injury riddled wide receivers. I will also note that Buffalo ran for 193 on the bears last week and HC Harbaugh will utilize Frank Gore and the rookie Carlos Hyde who is a bruiser that is great in short yard situations. (He averaged 7 yards a carry last week). I also look for the 49ers to run some read-option with Kaepernick and against a poor Chicago defensive line. The Bears went out and got Jared Allen in the off season, but he looked last week like he is running on fumes. When it's all said and done with, the 49ers offense and defense will control the line of scrimmage and win this game easily. I am looking for a final in the 31-17 range.
