Week 13 Preview: 49ers at Bears

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[December 05, 2015]  By Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange
 
 EditorsNote: adding Friday injury report Week 13 Preview: 49ers at Bears
 
 San Francisco 49ers (3-8) at Chicago Bears (5-6)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Soldier Field, Chicago - TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnson, Laura Okmin

*Keys to the game: The 49ers are one of the worst defenses in the league on the road, and that paints an ominous picture for QB Blaine Gabbert. He's 1-2 since replacing Colin Kaepernick as the 49ers' starter, but San Francisco has a total of 43 points in those three games. There's a huge void at running back limiting the play sheet for Gabbert, who had to lean on veteran Shaun Draughn - signed off the street last month - in consecutive losses to division heavyweights Seattle and Arizona. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was on staff with Gabbert as a backup last year and will have a program that attacks his weaknesses.
 


The 49ers haven't scored a first-quarter touchdown all season - scoreless in all of Gabbert's starts - so Chicago would love a fast start. Of course, that hasn't always been QB Jay Cutler's M.O. Keeping it on the ground could help Cutler get rolling early. The 49ers have been dinged by teams with multiple inside threats. Even if WR Eddie Royal doesn't man the slot, Chicago's two tight ends - Martellus Bennett and Zach Miller - are a matchup problem for San Francisco. If the 49ers can hold up on the corners, San Francisco can win on third down, where the Bears are a miserable 12 of 36 the past three games.

*Matchup to watch - Bears LBs Pernell McPhee and Willie Young vs. 49ers OTs Joe Staley and Erik Pears: Gabbert has been sacked only four times in three starts - Kaepernick went down 28 times in eight starts - but the Bears are pickup up the pressure with Young and Lamarr Houston close to healthy.

*Player spotlight - 49ers WR Torrey Smith: A busted investment for most of his first season with the 49ers, Smith has a chance for a breakout game as the Bears dare Gabbert to go long. Smith averages 17.3 yards per catch in his career and 21.6 per grab this season.

*Fast facts: The 49ers have scored 18 points or less eight times through the first 11 games. ... Bears coach John Fox is 4-0 in his career against San Francisco.

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FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

--Out: TE Garrett Celek (ankle), RB Carlos Hyde (foot)

--Probable: DT Arik Armstead (shoulder), TE Blake Bell (finger), WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring), G Alex Boone (triceps), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder, finger), LB Ahmad Brooks (toe), DT Quinton Dial (shoulder), WR Bruce Ellington (wrist), DT Tony Jerod-Eddie (hip), CB Dontae Johnson (hamstring), T Erik Pears (knee), CB Keith Reaser (ankle), WR Torrey Smith (back), S Jaquiski Tartt (knee), LB Michael Wilhoite (ankle)

CHICAGO BEARS

--Out: WR Marquess Wilson (foot)

--Questionable: DT Bruce Gaston (illness), TE Zach Miller (ribs), S Antrel Rolle (knee), WR Eddie Royal (knee)

--Probable: TE Martellus Bennett (ribs), RB Ka'Deem Carey (concussion), QB Jay Cutler (illness), T Kyle Long (neck), LB Pernell McPhee (knee)
 


WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Bears remain susceptible due to poor production on third down and in the red zone. If they leave the door open, QB Blaine Gabbert is capable of guiding San Francisco to the upset but needs help from his defense.

*Our pick: Bears 27-23.

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