Bears vs. 49ers Prediction |
It's a brand new era of Chicago Bears football, as the Thomas Brown era kicks off this weekend. In what will be the first game since Matt Eberflus was fired, former OC Thomas Brown will be taking over as Head Coach the rest of the way as he tries to get the Bears back on track heading into 2025.
With the Detroit Lions clinching the NFC North on Thursday, the Bears know that the path to the playoffs is also out of the question, as they have to win out even to have a shot. However, with games against the Packers, Lions, and Vikings still on the horizon, Chicago can, at the very least, play spoiler to all three of these teams as they will have a say in how the playoff seeding plays out. The same can be said about this weekend's matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are not only desperate but also come in with their season on the line. Another loss could see the 49ers miss the playoffs altogether, while a win would keep them alive a little while longer. As much as the Bears want to play meaningful games in January, this may be the next best thing. All five of their games from here on out will significantly impact the NFC playoff picture.
DATE/TIME: Sunday, Dec. 8, 3:25 p.m. (CT) TELEVISION: FOX STREAMING: NFL+ (Chicago area only), Game Pass International (outside the U.S., Canada and China) BROADCASTERS: Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst), Megan Olivi (sideline)
RADIO: ESPN 1000 (AM 1000, 100.3 FM HD2), LATINO MIX 93.5 FM (Spanish), SiriusXM (Channels 382 & 805) STREAMING: NFL+ ESPN 1000 BROADCASTERS: Jeff Joniak (play-by-play), Tom Thayer (analyst), Jason McKie (sideline) LATINO MIX 93.5 FM BROADCASTERS: Omar Ramos (play-by-play), Mateo Moreno (analyst) Here are three things to look for in the week 14 matchup:
Although it wasn't surprising to see Eberflus fired, it was surprising to see him fired midseason as he became the first Head Coach in franchise history to be let go during the season. Replacing him will be Brown, who was promoted from Passing Game Coordinator to OC three weeks ago and is now getting another promotion to HC. In the three games since he took over the play-calling duties, the Bears have not only turned the corner but also looked like another team, as Caleb Williams has been one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Brown is someone who understands what this team is about and what they do well, and you can tell the Bears love him and want to run through a wall for him. While no one knows what the future holds when it comes to the Bears' next head coach, we do know that this job will be highly coveted. Brown is expected to get a look at becoming the permanent head coach, and the best way to put yourself in a position to get that job is to finish strong. Brown has a five-game window to show what he is about and what he can do for this team.
You always talk about the so-called Superbowl hangover, which has been 100 percent accurate for the 49ers this season. Typically, it's the winning team that deals with the Superbowl hangover, but this season, it has been the 49ers, as this has been a season of struggle. There have been times when this team has shown life and looked like the team everyone thought they were, but with Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, Brandon Aiyuk, and several others out for the season, it has been an uphill battle since the start. Throw in nagging injuries for Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel, and the injuries have piled up to the point where this team can't overcome them anymore. Coming into this game on a three-game losing streak, the 49ers have fallen to last place in the NFC West and are under .500 for what seems like the first time in forever under Kyle Shannahan. A loss here and their season will all but be over, as the 49ers can be eliminated from playoff contention in the coming weeks. With a win, they can at least keep their season going a little bit longer, as they would still be in the rare position to win their division. This game should have a playoff feel to it, which is all any team can ask for.
There is an old saying in the NFL that you are what your record says you are. That means the record says the Bears are a 4-8 team, but are they really a 4-8 team? Take the last three weeks, for example, when the Bears not only faced the rest of the NFC North but lost all three games by three points or less. Add in that Hail Mary loss to Washington three weeks prior, and the Bears have dropped four of their last six games by three points, all of which came consecutively. Had things gone differently in those games, the Bears would be sitting at 8-4 instead of 4-8 and battling the Packers for the final wild-card spot. With Eberflus out as head coach, you have to think this team's late-game execution will be better, as there were many games that many felt Eberflus let get away. Young teams need to learn how to win, and the Bears are one of those teams that find ways to lose rather than win. Chicago needs to stop beating itself up, and once they do that, the wins will follow. Prediction: You could make the case that this weekend's game against the 49ers is the most anticipated Bears game since week one, and not in the way you would think. The Bears will most likely miss the playoffs again and will be faced with a challenging offseason filled with lots of questions. However, with a fresh mind in Brown taking over, a sense of relief and optimism creeps into the organization as this team has more life. It's been a long time since anyone could say that, and the Bears are one of those teams that will not only be tough out the rest of the way but also a team that could crush someone's playoff dream. This week, the 49ers will see their playoff dreams crushed as Chicago ends their six-game losing streak 20-14.HOW TO WATCH
HOW TO LISTEN
Consider this a five-week interview
This is the 49ers' last stand
Stop beating yourself
