Chicago at San Francisco (11/19/2012)

Away:  Chicago [5-4 ATS]
Home:  San Francisco [5-4 ATS]

Game Time: 8:30 PM
Stadium: Candlestick Park

Recent Meetings:
N/A

Team Leaders:

Chicago:
Passing: Jay Cutler (1814)
Rushing: Matt Forte (578)
Receiving: Brandon Marshall (904)

San Francisco:
Passing: Alex Smith (1731)
Rushing: Frank Gore (751)
Receiving: Michael Crabtree (510)

More:
Live Odds
In-Depth Matchup Information
Consensus Betting Information

Both starting QB's likely to sit this one out.  No spread or total issued, but the over'under is likely to be in the 34-36 point range and will probably move even lower once on the board.

It seems too obvious but the game will be the "three yards and a cloud of dust" type.  Two excellent defenses and two coaches that will likely be very conservative on offense due to the lack of starting QB's.

My advice is POUND THE UNDER EARLY

Chicago

No starting QB's in this game.  Under sounds nice!

Over! 2 backup qbs vs 2 great Defenses… lots of turnovers and good field position. 9ers will have to air it out vs Bears run defense (4th)

Smith is playing fyi

My eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when I saw this line.  First lets talk about what the line would be if both starting quarterbacks were healthy.  I would venture to guess 49ers -3.  Thats just a guess, but I'm no handicapper.  I think you are getting a major discount here on the 49ers because they are coming off an embarassing tie to the Rams.  The Bears, on the other hand, had a really tough time moving the ball against the Texans, and once Cutler got knocked out (literally), there was very little chance of them winning against the Texans. 

Well, I don't think it matters who's playing quarterback for either of these teams.  In fact, I've been following Collin Kaepernick's career for quite some time when he was running the pistol at Nevada, and I think he's more than capable of handling this offense.  In fact, the Bears would have to be more prepared for him because he is such an elusive scrambler. 

The bottom line is there is one matchup that I just can't get over, and that's the 49er front-7 against the Chicago Bears offensive line.  Chicago just doesn't have the personnel to match up with this elite unit.  With Jason Campbell behind center, the Bears are going to have to rely on a solid running game.  The only problem is they don't have a guy on their team capable of blocking Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith, or NaVorro Bowman. 

To make matters worse, when they will be in those 3rd and long situations (and trust me they will), they will have to rely on Jason Campbell to be smart and not turn the ball over.  Harbaugh is no idiot.  The Bears only real weapon at wide receiver is Brandon Marshall, and I expect the 49ers to jam him at the line and have Dashon Goldson waiting over the top to pick off any errand throws. Needless to say, this has the potential to be a long night for Jason Campbell. 

Now, I know the Bears have this unbelievable defense that has pick-6's every game. and creates turnovers in their sleep.  But the one thing I must add is that this team has only played against one team that has a decent running game (the Houston Texans).  Their 7 wins have come against Indy, St Louis, Dallas, Jacksonville, Detroit, Carolina, and Tennessee.   NONE OF THESE TEAMS KNOW HOW TO RUN THE BALL!!!  The 49ers have the number 1 rushing attack in the NFL averaging over 170 yards a game, and I think you could argue one of the most physical offensive lines in the league (next to the Steelers).  Lets just say the Bear's 5th ranked rushing defense, which in my opinion is statistically inflated based on an easy schedule, will be put to the test on Monday Night. 

This game has blow out potential written all over it, and I think Vernon Davis gets back on track this week with a multi touchdown game.  I think there's a good chance we have a tie for 1st place in the AFC north after Monday Night.    

49ers 27

Bear 6

good luck

meant NFC North.

I was at the Niners gave vs Rams and I have to say, that was one of the worst games Niners played this year.  To allow Rams 2 TD ahead in 1st Q was unacceptable.  And just when Alex Smith was getting hot, he injured out.  But I'm looking at Niners' trend and seeing.. 2 Big Wins, 1 lost, 2 Big Wins, 1 lost, 2 Big Wins, Tie (but considered lost).  This game sounds like a Big Win.  Alex Smith will start for sure and I don't mind Kaepernick starting also but I have to say that Jason Campbell is not as bad as people think.  Just hope he doesn't pull a surprise..

liking the niners in this situation. No lines open on any of my books yet but I feel anything under -4 is a steal

TD worth of chalk, 49ers at home, no Cutler or Smith, 2 real good defenses, Hardick has a heart issue, sorry bout that one, couldn't help myself.  

When you get the public mind on the under, take the over and watch your pocket rise. Under backers on the usc/ucla caught some pretty bad breaks on Saturday; if you had it you know you're still salty over that one. Sorry about that. OVER here please. Many many people love the hard-nosed physical football that both the Niners and the Bears put out there and I understand your first thought of a 17-14 game with Cutler out and Smith not 100%. However, most want to see some scoring. Last week was a snoozer and you can count on the refs to provide some scoring this week. If the score is 7-3 in the 2nd quarter, too many people will turn off their sets until they think the 4th quarter is resuming. The NFL will want to stir it up tomorrow night to get peoples juices flowing for Thursday. Don't ask how because as you have seen, there is no statistical logic that should go into any Monday night game. Its all about the dollar. A couple special teams plays help the teams get into the endzone as well as a couple generous pass interference calls. Jason Campbell is the best backup in the league..they got him for this very reason of fearing of losing Cutler to a piss poor o line and they will be prepared against a very good defense. The 49ers are my team and I know my Niners. They shutout and beat down bad teams; not contenders. Campbell or not, theyll give up plays.

Hey Sammy - I narrowed your analysis to 2 key points, one I agree with, and one I disagree with:

1. - For the 49ers, Smith, Kapernick, Whoever - the QB is interchangeable and almost unimportant - and I think Harbaugh designed his offense that way.

But

Love him or hate him, I think this Bears offense lives and dies with Cutler - and in my opinion "professional journeyman" Campbell is in no way a suitable replacement. Now, that being said, onto your second point

2. - The bottom line is there is one matchup that I just can't get over, and that's the 49er front-7 against the Chicago Bears offensive line. Chicago just doesn't have the personnel to match up with this elite unit. - - - - - RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!  - - and now you got Campbell under Center?

.....and I like your final score, too......

2 of the boring team in the NFL playing in the Monday night football game. Both this team has the worst passing yard and only rushing. Take under for sure.

LOOKING AT THESE TEAMS I SEE THAT WHEN SF FACES GOOD DECENT D THEY DONT DO THAT BAD AND SOMETIMES STRUUGLES BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE THE BEARS WHEN THEY FACE DECENT D CANT MOVE THE BALL THAT MUCH.THE BACK UP QB FOR SF HAS HAD MORE SNAPS THAN THE QB FOR BEARS IN LIVE ACTION.BEARS SEEM TO PLAY BETTER WHEN THEY ARE AHEAD AND SF ALSO.BEARS HAVE STRUGGLE AGAINST GREAT COACHING HOUSTON AND GB.SF FACE GIANTS GOT SMOKED BUT BEAT GB.LOST TO MINNESOTA WHO RUNS WELL AND GIANTS RUN WELL. FINNALY I SEE IT CLOSER THAN PEOPLE MAY THINK BUT LIKE SF IN CLOSE GAME. GOOD LUCK.

under

Chicago Bears +7 LARGE

Bottom line is 49ers always show up on primetime football. Now its against a backup qb with a terrible O line. I dont see how you back the bears in this one. 49ers win comfortably as they usually do on MNF

Cutler out

Smith probable....

Early lean 9ers layin' the chalk

CHI +7 (.5u) - SCORE: Bears 14 - Forty-Niners 17

chicago: 30th in total offense but 7th in points per game. tells you that the bears living from their takeaways. The niners are the best team in ballprotection with 9 giveaways. If they can avoid lots of TOs in this one, i cant see campbell an this offense scoring many points. leaning to the niners..

Love the Bears tomorrow. Their defense will keep it close. I don't believe there ws enough covers this week there could be room for one more going with the bears in this one