San Francisco 49ers

49ers vs. Bears: Previewing Week 13 for San Francisco

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers travel to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 13. Niner Noise has your preview as these two struggling teams get ready to face off on Sunday.

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers are 1-10 and the Chicago Bears are 2-9. It can’t get much worse as far as enticing matchups go.

49ers

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But Week 13 could have a lot to say about how the 2017 NFL Draft order goes. If the season ended today, the Niners would hold the No. 2 overall pick behind the winless Cleveland Browns. Chicago would have the fourth pick in Round 1.

While the NFL Draft is a ways away, a game still remains to be played.

And it’s one not totally without interest. Head coach Chip Kelly’s squad will look to continue the marginal improvements seen in three consecutive losses, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick will hope his stock continues to rise.

Still, the 49ers must avoid the numerous mistakes that ensured losses in both Weeks 10 through 12 to the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, respectively.

Week 13 marks a game the Niners might actually be able to win. And there have been few of those on San Francisco’s calendar this season.

Doing so is another question.

Niner Noise has your breakdown in advance of Sunday’s contest. Let’s look at this bout, focus on the X-factors, injuries and much more.

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Quinton Dial (92) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Week 13 by the Numbers

The Bears haven’t had much more luck than the 49ers this season, and it’s reflected almost across the board, statistically.

Chicago’s offense ranks next to last with just 178 points scored. Meanwhile, the Niners check in with the league’s 22nd-ranked offense. A lot of the Bears’ struggles have been due to injury, and the team is without quarterback Jay Cutler (shoulder), tight end Zach Miller (foot), guard Kyle Long (ankle) and wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (suspension) and Kevin White (leg).

Former Niners defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will at least have another chance to knock off his former employer. Chicago’s defense is banged up too, so this task won’t be quite as easy.

Through 12 weeks, the Bears defense sits at No. 18 in points allowed (264) and No. 11 in yards given up (3,775).

Creating turnovers has been one of the major issues for Chicago on the season. Fangio’s defense has just eight takeaways, which ranks 30th in the league. For a Niners team plagued by turnovers last week in Miami, this might be a bit of a boost.

Still, it remains a weakness-versus-weakness scenario for both teams.

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on from the sideline during the second half against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Comparison

If there is a distinct edge for San Francisco, it’s under center. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been playing well as of late, showing a possible development under head coach Chip Kelly.

On the flip side, the Bears are rolling with backup QB Matt Barkley, who has just one start on the season.

Matt Barkley

Barkley’s efforts in Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans were commendable, if not stellar. He was sure asked to throw a lot, going 28-of-54 for 316 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions.

Over two games played, Barkley owns a 49.3 percent completion percentage with a passer rating of 57.5. Two picks thrown in relief during Week 11 against the New York Giants didn’t help any. So he’ll be looking to build upon the efforts shown versus Tennessee.

Colin Kaepernick

While Kaepernick may not be the long-term answer for San Francisco, Kap’s efforts over the last four weeks have certainly been more promising than what was seen earlier this year or even 2015.

Kaepernick threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns in the Niners’ 31-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins a week ago, and he also rushed for an additional 113 yards.

Miami’s defense is, without question, vastly better than anything the Bears can throw out right now. So there’s a good chance Kap’s upward trend continues if he’s able to build on what’s happened in recent weeks.

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) try to recover a fumble in the end zone during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Implications for the 2017 NFL Draft

As noted earlier, both the 49ers and Bears are in line for a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

At 1-10, the Niners would get the second overall pick if the season were to end today. The 2-9 Bears would be tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars, record-wise, but Jacksonville has the weaker strength of schedule and would get the No. 2 overall pick. Chicago would pick third in Round 1.

A win for San Francisco would shake things up though. Let’s assume the Jaguars and Niners both win, which would push Jacksonville further down in the draft order.

Both the 49ers and Bears would have a 2-10 record, but Chicago would move into the No. 2 spot in the draft.

This might upset some fans, who would rather see San Francisco “lose out” for a better pick.

Maybe, but don’t expect the Niners to tank in an attempt to secure a higher spot — an argument we made earlier this week.

It’s far too early in the season to create the draft order, and games are yet to be played. But based off San Francisco’s remaining schedule, Week 13 might be one of only two or three remaining contests the team has a legitimate chance to win.

And 3-13 certainly sounds better than 1-15.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Significant 49ers Injuries

While the Bears are banged up, the 49ers can easily look at the injury bug as a major reason behind the team’s struggles.

Injuries affected San Francisco in Miami, as the team lost linebacker Shayne Skov to a season-ending knee injury. Skov is little more than a backup and special teams player, so this setback shouldn’t be too problematic.

Here’s the rest of the Niners’ injury report from the team’s website:

Name	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Game Designation
G 68 Zane Beadles	Ankle/Knee	FP	FP	FP	(-)
DL 98 Ronald Blair	Hamstring	LP	LP	FP	(-)
DT 92 Quinton Dial	Knee/Neck	LP	LP	FP	(-)
DT 90 Glenn Dorsey	Knee	LP	LP	FP	(-)
LB 58 Eli Harold	Toe	LP	LP	FP	(-)
C 67 Daniel Kilgore	Hamstring/Calf	FP	FP	FP	(-)
LB 59 Aaron Lynch	Ankle	LP	LP	LP	Questionable
WR 11 Quinton Patton	Concussion	DNP	LP	LP	Questionable
CB 33 Rashard Robinson	Knee	FP	FP	FP	(-)
WR 82 Torrey Smith	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	(-)

Linebacker Aaron Lynch has missed four games in a row with a high-ankle sprain. San Francisco’s best pass-rusher hasn’t been much of a factor this season, and the Niners could sure use his presence. Linebacker Eli Harold (toe) will likely get the start in his place alongside veteran LB Ahmad Brooks.

Wide receiver Quinton Patton’s concussion could keep him out of the lineup, which would mean more looks for depth wideouts Rod Streater and/or Aaron Burbridge.

November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) receives the hand off from quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. The Patriots defeated the 49ers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

49ers Offensive & Defensive X-Factors

The 49ers offense has shown a bit of life in recent weeks, especially with the play of quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Carlos Hyde.

But it’s the defense which has garnered the majority of concern this season.

This last-place unit managed to hold its own against the run last week, holding Dolphins tailback Jay Ajayi to just 2.5 yards per carry. Yet the secondary was routinely picked apart by Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

G Zane Beadles

With Bears rookie pass-rusher Leonard Floyd (concussion) questionable, the primary pass-rushing duties for Chicago fall on defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and linebacker Willie Young, who have combined for 10.5 sacks this season.

This puts pressure on the left side of the Niners offensive line and, specifically, guard Zane Beadles.

Beadles has a 48.1 pass-blocking grade on the season, per Pro Football Focus, so this might be an advantage the Bears try to exploit.

RB Carlos Hyde

Hyde showed some improvement over the last two weeks, instead of the dink-and-dash attempts he had against the Cardinals in Week 10.

With so many questions about Chicago’s defense, it would be wise to let Hyde continue being a bell cow for San Francisco’s offense. Yes, Kaepernick has played well. But he also is due for one of those let-down games.

Let Hyde get his touches and ensure the Niners maintain possession throughout the game.

October 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 33-21. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

LB Ahmad Brooks

It’s weird to think linebacker Ahmad Brooks could have a big day on Sunday. But it’s possible.

Brooks will frequently line up opposite Bears right tackle Mike Adams, who has a 40.8 overall grade on the year, per PFF. San Francisco’s veteran linebacker is a situational pass-rusher at best, but this is an advantage to exploit.

With a young quarterback, Matt Barkley, under center for Chicago, ensuring the pass rush is sufficient enough is key to keeping Barkley uncomfortable.

49ers Run Defense

We made the argument a week ago — if the Niners limited Dolphins tailback Jay Ajayi, San Francisco would stand a chance to win. And it happened.

Same thing goes against Bears running back Jordan Howard, who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry this season.

On the positive side, the 49ers have had two games in three weeks in which the defense hasn’t allowed more than 100 rushing yards. But it’s marked by the 171 ground yards given up to the Patriots in Week 11.

Which version of San Francisco’s run defense will we get?

Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of a metal detector sign outside Soldier Field prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Game Information

San Francisco and Chicago kick off this Week 13 bout on Sunday, December 4 at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

You can check where local broadcasts on your Fox affiliate will be by clicking here. Persons interested in streaming the game live can use NFL Game Pass.

It might be weird to fathom, but the 49ers are actually one-point favorites in this game, currently according to Odds Shark. Their predicted score is 30.6 to 17.6 in favor of the Bears, so make of that what you wish.

Why the Bears Win

Last week proved the Niners can’t get away with merely one element of their defense working well. If the run defense holds up, the secondary has to match it.

Chicago would need to exploit one of these weaknesses to a marginal effect. Be it through the air by the arm of quarterback Matt Barkley or on the ground from running back Jordan Howard, the Bears offense does enough against a suspect 49ers defense.