Coming into this game I am now 4-0 in my weekly Bears predictions, a hot streak that I hope will continue because I feel like this game is all up in the air. Both teams are not the best ones going at the moment, both teams are a little worse-for-wear, have similar win-loss records and are struggling to be as cohesive as people would expect.
Let’s start the similarities at the records. Chicago are 3-4 after the 3 – 38 demolition by Tampa Bay; whilst the 49er’s come to Soldier Field with a 2-4 record after last weeks heavy defeat to the Colts, 18 – 30. Though the score looks better for San Francisco, the Bears would take solace then that the 49ers are in a bad run of form, losing 4 matches in a row.
A silver-lining from the results and records for both teams, is the fact that their active RBs both broke the 100yards mark for the first time last week. Elijah Mitchell for the 49er’s had 107yards from 18 attempts and a TD, whereas Khalil Herbert followed suit with 18 carries for 100yards. That also coming off a 98yard game the week before.
That Herbert stat won’t be music to the 49er’s, whose pass and rush defense sit around 20th in the rankings with yards allowed. But then the Bears’ DLine, by far the most productive section, could be without Mack, Quinn and Hicks due to injury, which severely weakens them. Both defenses not being up to scratch.
BATTLE OF THE ROOKIES GIVES BEARS EDGE?
Then there are the QBs. Last week Jimmy Garoppolo struggled to gain a decent rhythm as the rain lashed down. He ended the game with 181 yards, 1 TD and 2 interceptions and it seemed like the rain literally dampened his spirits.
So on a cold, wet day in Chicago, we could see a lot of opportunity to capitalise. Especially with both himself and Trey Lance playing through some injuries these past few weeks. It could be the perfect time to play either of these QBs.
But then Justin Fields is coming in from 184yards, 3 interceptions and no TDs in week 7. He has a total of 6 interceptions so far in the season and has been sacked 26 times throughout already. That is more a fault with a shaky OLine, but with Nick Bosa on 5 sacks so far in 2021, it could be that more sacks are on the way.
You could run down all the stats and everything comes back to a 50/50 style split. Anything can go at any given time. Both teams are the type of opponent you would love to play against and not much to pick between them.
With Matt Nagy out after contracting COVID-19 it will be Chris Tabor carrying out the head coaching duties, so we’ll finally get a glimpse of how this unit looks with someone else at the helm even if it is still the same framework.
It could be just be as simple as who wants it more on the day of the game. So with it being in Solider Field, let’s get positive and Bear Down!
Bears 20 – 49er’s 17
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