The San Francisco 49ers are set to christen their impressive new home, Levi’s Stadium, in regular season action with the visit of the Chicago Bears on Week 2.
The Niners wers were quick to crush any doubts about how their team would react following a turbulent offseason with a decisive road win in Dallas. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears tempered the optimism surrounding them as a potential playoff team with a demoralizing home loss to the Bills.
The Green Bay Packers are also eager to bounce back after a tough beatdown at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks last Thursday night. Check out our preview of the Jets vs. Packers, and read on for more on this battle between two possible NFC playoff teams.
[sc:Football ]Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers Preview and Prediction
When: Sunday, September 14, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
Line: Chicago Bears (+7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (-7); total 48.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Chicago Bears
The big question for the Chicago Bears coming into this season was whether their horrific run defense which gave up 161 yards allowed per game, far and away the worst mark in the NFL last season, would get any better. After one week, the answer to that question is a resounding no.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Despite spending the offseason strengthening their defensive line, the Bears still gave up 193 rushing yards in a shock 23-20 overtime home loss to the Buffalo Bills. Chicago is now an abysmal 1-8-1 against the spread at home in the Marc Trestman era.
In their defense’s defense, the Bills are no slouch on the ground; they were second-best running team in the league last year. But the Bears won’t have it much easier against a Niners team that ranked just behind the Bills in rushing.
Aside from their poor run defense, equally worrying was their much-ballyhooed offense not quite playing up to expectations in Week 1. Although they posted some flashy numbers – 347 yards for Jay Cutler and 169 all-purpose yards for Matt Forte – they could only muster 20 points against the Bills.
That offense is definitely capable of much more, but it may have another tough time scoring if wideout Alshon Jeffery, who suffered a hamstring injury in the latter stages of the Bills game, is unable to play.
While the Bears may have issues against the run, they could cause some problems on the ground themselves. With no NaVorro Bowman in the middle of their defense, the Niners gave up 127 rushing yards to the Cowboys, a huge number by San Fran’s standards.
Matt Forte was more prominently used in the passing game against the Bills, but he was the league’s second-best rusher last season, and is capable of inflicting his share of damaging runs.
Betting on the San Francisco 49ers
After an offseason wrought with injuries (NaVorro Bowman), suspensions (Aldon Smith) and arrests (Ray McDonald), the 49ers were all business in Week 1 as they waltzed right into Dallas and blitzed the Cowboys with three first quarter touchdowns en route to a comfortable 28-17 win.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick found tight end Vernon Davis for two of those touchdowns, while Anquan Boldin had eight catches for 99 yards. Kaepernick, who went a solid 16-for-23 for 201 yards overall, should also get lead receiver Michael Crabtree back closer to full speed against the Bears after being slowed by a calf injury in Dallas.
The Niners’ excellent running game, which rushed for 127 yards on 30 carries against Dallas is widely expected to rush for as much or more against the Bears’ porous D-line. But another efficient performance from their passing game would give San Francisco a whole other gear on offense.
On the other side of the ball, San Fran hardly skipped a beat despite missing three starters – nose tackle Glenn Dorsey and linebackers Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman. They forced the Cowboys to four first half turnovers, including three interceptions off of Tony Romo.
If that secondary can have a similar effect disrupting the Bears’ prolific passing game, one that might already be weakened by the possible absence of Jeffery, the Niners will go a long way toward taking full control of the game.
The 49ers will be playing their first game in their new homefield, Levi’s Stadium. If they play anywhere near how they played in old Candlestick Park, they should be in good shape. Since head coach Jim Harbaugh’s arrival in 2011, the 49ers have gone 21-5-1 at home, the fifth-best record in the NFL.
Writer’s Prediction
The Niners have their way with the Bears on both sides of the ball as they stroll to an easy win and cover at home. Create a betting account today and earn some cash with big home favorites.
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