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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: Chicago Bears (Week 10)
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Jay Cutler now has a new home in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Nam Y Huh)
The Jay Culter fiasco ended in Chicago when the Pro Bowl quarterback was traded from the Broncos to the Bears for Kyle Orton. With a whole new setting, Cutler has to adjust to a new offense in what looks to be a season full of hope for the Bears.
The 49ers understand that the Bears defense can still be very tough to score against, but if they can score early, they might be able to control the ball throughout the game and pull out a win. Let's look at the Bears.
2008 Record: 9-7 (2nd NFC North)
Last meeting: 10/29/06 @ Chicago (Bears win 41-10)
2009 schedule: Week 10 @ San Francisco
Top 3 best players: QB Jay Cutler, PR/WR Devin Hester, LB Brian Urlacher
Notable draft picks: DE Jarron Gilbert, WR Juaquin Iglesias
Notable new acquisitions: QB Jay Cutler, OT Orlando Pace, OT Frank Omiyale, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa
Notable losses: WR Marty Booker, WR Brandon Lloyd, S Mike Brown, QB Rex Grossman, QB Kyle Orton
The Bears still boast a very tight defense that might have to win them a lot of games this year. Looking at the Bears offense, it's features a huge question mark at wide receiver.
The departure of Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd doesn't make the Bears receiving core any better. The Bears saw this and drafted three wide receivers in April. But it will be a while before these three rookies make an impact.
With the current roster, we see Rashied Davis (SJSU alum and typical third or fourth stringer) now in the #1 spot. Devin Hester is the #2 receiver. But aside from these two, the wide receivers are not impressive and new quarterback Jay Cutler will definitely have a lot of pressure to make the passing game work.
Since Cutler's options aren't as impressive as the ones he had in Denver, he can definitely check down to Greg Olson and Desmond Clark at tight end. Both of these tight ends have helped a very wobbly Chicago passing game in recent years.
The biggest option on offense that the 49ers must contain is Matt Forte at running back. With 1,238 rushing yards in his rookie season, there will be a lot more pressure for Forte to total those numbers again. The Bears signed veteran Orlando Pace at tackle to help the team's rushing attack. The running game will most definitely help out the offense that doesn't feature many established receivers.
If the 49ers can hold down the running game of the Bears, then that would force Cutler to throw the ball. Cutler threw 18 interceptions last year. With mediocre receivers, the 49ers must like their chances in stopping the Bears offense from scoring.
When looking at the Bears defense, you notice that linebackers spot immediately. With a history of great linebackers like Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary (current 49ers head coach), you can see the same intensity in Brian Urlacher. Alongside Lance Briggs, the Bears have a very strong presence in run stoppage. And the addition of Pisa Tinoisamoa makes the Bears linebacker group very dangerous.
The passing game for the 49ers will also have to be on its A-game against the cornerbacks. Both Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher have been consistent staples in the Bears secondary. Vasher has been limited in workouts this summer but is expected to be 100 percent by training camp.
The biggest offensive impact for the Bears (and it has been for the past few seasons) is punt returner Devin Hester. Now used as a receiver and primarily in punt returning duties, Hester might not be as effective as before. With his focus now more on being a receiver, Danieal Manning is now returning kickoffs. It's a lighter task to take on Manning over Hester, but the 49ers must still prevent the big returns from both of these players.
For the offensive passing game of the Bears that could definitely benefit from short yardage, the 49ers must prevent the big returns.
The Bears surrendered 93.5 rushing yards a game last year (fifth best in the league). And if the 49ers are held down significantly below that number, there will be little chance that the 49ers can get their passing game to be successful. Against this Bears defense, the 49ers have to play mistake-free football.
However, I think that the 49ers defense can stop this Bears offense (especially the passing game). The secondary has improved for the 49ers and with the mediocrity at wide receiver, the Bears might be forced to run a lot more. This surely will be a toss up football game for both teams. My biased thoughts believe that the 49ers can pull out the win at home. But it's a tough call.
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