San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears NFL Week 13 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Sunday, Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Stadium: Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.

Line: Chicago (-6.5)

Week 13 of the 2015 NFL season will feature the third matchup within the last four years between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears. The 49ers (3-8) are entering this week’s contest having lost four of their last five games, while the Bears (5-6) are continually building on their momentum of winning three of their last four.

Though San Francisco and Chicago seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum at this point in the year, this game may be a challenge for both teams, considering that the Niners are 0-5 on the road and the Bears are 1-4 at home.

Aside from the home and road records, the one thing that stands out the most is the dominance of Chicago’s pass defense and the inconsistency of San Francisco’s aerial attack. The Bears are ranked second in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (214.5), which is better than the No. 4 ranking that they had for most of the season. On the flip side, the 49ers’ 30th ranked passing game really shouldn’t be any match against Chicago. To add insult to injury, San Francisco has surrendered 32 sacks this year (seventh-most in the NFL).

The same can’t be said about the Bears’ run defense, which is 29th in the league. However, San Francisco’s top two leading rushers (RB Carlos Hyde and QB Colin Kaepernick) are both sidelined with injuries. This leaves a cast of virtual unknowns to carry the rock for the Niners. This definitely could be a confidence booster for Chicago’s struggling run defense.

San Francisco’s defense is near the very bottom in the league statistically and could make the Bears’ average offense look extraordinary. With a healthy Matt Forte back in the mix to complement the emergence of rookie running back Jeremy Langford, Chicago should easily pick up huge chunks of yardage on the ground against the 49ers’ 25th ranked run defense.

If you get the indication that this matchup between the 49ers and the Bears will be a one-sided affair, then you’re right. Just seeing how Chicago has given up an average of only 15.5 points in the last four games and how San Francisco has averaged a measly 13.8 points per game all season (last in the NFL), it’s easy to guess who’s going to win this one.

Prediction: Bears 24, 49ers 13

Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller.