San Francisco 49ers

Six Points: 49ers vs. Bears

Published Dec. 4, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bears (5-6) keep hanging around the outskirts of the NFC playoff picture, but you can stick a fork in them if they can't beat the San Francisco 49ers (3-8) at home this weekend. The 49ers will bring the conference's worst record with them to Soldier Field for Sunday's matchup with the Bears.

Will Chicago reach .500 for the first time this season, or is San Francisco destined for an upset on the road?

Here are three keys to the game for both the 49ers an the Bears.

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1. Take more chances downfield

Blaine Gabbert has been more efficient than his predecessor, Colin Kaepernick, since taking over as the starting quarterback. One area where Gabbert lags, however, is an inability to keep drives alive -- the 49ers are 8-of-35 on third down in his three starts. A huge part of that is Gabbert's willingness to settle for short passes regardless of down and distance.

2. Create pressure with the blitz

The 49ers have generated only 19 sacks and forced two fumbles while giving up tons of yards though the air (276.8 YPG), so they need to find some way to get to Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and provide help for an offense averaging a league-worst 13.8 points. A fast start is paramount for a defense that's surrendering an average of 35.8 points in five road games.

3. Give Shaun Draughn some help

Chicago is vulnerable to the run, but with Carlos Hyde expected to miss his fifth straight game, journeyman Shaun Draughn has been the main -- and only -- man in the backfield. Draughn, who is with his eighth team, never came off the field a week ago and is not built to be an every-down back. The 49ers need to spell him occasionally, even if the options are not great.

1. Shut down Anquan Boldin

The 49ers don't have much going for them on offense, but Anquan Boldin is still a dangerous receiving threat at 35 years old. He has eclipsed 90 yards in each of the past two weeks, even though he's hampered by a hamstring injury. Chicago has a surprisingly stingy pass defense, with only 2,360 yards surrendered all season (second fewest in NFL) If Boldin is kept in check, the Bears should be able to control the game on defense.

2. Maintain an even split between Forte, Langford

The Bears are still feeling out their new dynamic at running back, so they should continue to give veteran Matt Forte and rookie Jeremy Langford near-equal touches. Last week against the Packers, Forte handled a total of 16 touches for 53 yards; Langford also produced 53 yards of offense but on 13 touches. Splitting and mixing up the touches throughout the game will help keep San Francisco's defense off-balance.

3. Target Alshon Jeffery more than 10 times

Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is fully healthy again, so expect another offensive explosion. Injuries have limited Jeffery quite a bit this season, but he averages 116.4 yards per game when he's healthy enough to draw more than 10 targets. Quarterback Jay Cutler should target Jeffery often and with confidence, since the 49ers have no one who can cover him one-on-one. San Francisco's pass defense allows an average of 277 yards per game (28th in NFL).