Chicago vs San Francisco Betting
Headline: Defenses on Display – 49ers Host Bears on Monday Night
Two of the best defensive teams in the NFL meet on Monday Night Football with questions abound about the availability of the two starting quarterbacks for each club. Both Alex Smith and Jay Cutler are far-from-assured to suit up in this most intriguing affair. With the race for the top seeds in the competitive NFC heating up Monday’s showdown is as critical as it is intriguing.
Chicago Bears (7-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1)
Date/Time: Monday, November 19, 8:30 PM ET
Venue: Candlestick Park
Broadcast: ESPN
Bears vs. 49ers Betting Lines from Bovada.lv
Spread: 49ers -4.5
Moneyline: Lines Not Available
Over/Under: 38.5
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The Chicago Bears lost for only the second time this season on Sunday but they lost more than just the game – Jay Cutler was knocked out with a concussion forcing the Bears to go with Jason Campbell at pivot. This may be the case again Monday as word out of Chicago is that Cutler’s injury could keep him out of this contest.
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The Chicago offense comes into Monday’s affair with the surprisingly low 30th ranked passing attack. Jason Campbell won’t help those numbers! The Bears have the 9th best rushing offense – something that will likely be leaned on heavily if Cutler can’t go. Sleep well this week Matt Forte and Michael Bush – you will get a fair amount of work against San Francisco’s 7th ranked rush defense.
We know that Chicago’s defense will do their jobs. They are 10th against the pass, 4th against the run and they allow just 14.78 points per game – good for 2nd in the NFL. They have been masterful at creating turnovers this season – a league best 3.33 per game and the Niners are not immune to handing the ball over. If Chicago wins it will be because of the defense!
The San Francisco 49ers are not immune to the occasional Dud as evidenced by their TIE in Week 10 divisional game against St. Louis – a game that they realistically should have lost. They like the Bears have a weak passing game – 28th in the NFL and a good run game.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Niners own the best rushing offense in the game with an average of 170.22 yards per game! With Alex Smith possibly sitting this game out, you’d have to think that San Francisco is planning to wear out Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. Word is that Smith is on track to play. Even so, the running game will likely be featured a ton.
The San Francisco defense is tops in the league when it comes to limiting their opposition’s points – just 14.11 per game. They are 5th against the pass and 7th against the run. The only real difference between the two squads is that the Niners are a somewhat disappointing 16th in the NFL at forcing turnovers – 1.44 per game as opposed to 3.33 per game for Chicago. But like the Bears, San Francisco’s success on Monday will be hugely dependent on the play of their defense.
Betting Prediction:
• Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
• Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing San Francisco
• Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Francisco
• San Francisco is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
• San Francisco10-2-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
• San Francisco19-5-1 SU in its last 25 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco’s last 7 games
This is a tough game to handicap especially because of the QB situations for both teams. Cutler isn`t looking like he will play and Smith is looking like he is. Still – defenses will dominate with turnovers likely being the difference and we all know what Chicago has done in the turnover game this year. Take the Bears and – I can`t believe I`m saying this – Jason Campbell to win a close, low scoring affair on Monday night. I may not be pretty but it will be a win.
Pick: Chicago Bears
