Bears-49ers breakdown

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San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (right) runs the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Tony Brown (left) defends during the second quarter of Sunday's game in San Francisco. Gore averages 5.6 yards a carry and has rushed for 447 yards this season for the 49ers' 21st-ranked rushing offense. (AP photo)

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Bears rushing offense vs. 49ers rushing defense

Mismatch alert, part 1. The Bears are No. 28 in the NFL with 90.5 rushing yards a game, whereas the 49ers’ run defense is No. 5 in the NFL with 93.3 yards allowed a game. San Francisco nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin (6-foot-1, 317 pounds) helped to limit St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson to 3.4 yards a carry in Week 4.

Edge: 49ers

Bears passing offense vs. 49ers passing defense

The Bears padded their passing statistics during Sunday’s debacle against the Arizona Cardinals, but Jay Cutler and friends still has more talent than the 49ers secondary. The 49ers’ pass defense is ranked No. 24 in the NFL, which could portend another good day for Greg Olsen, Devin Hester or a mystery Bears receiver.

Edge: Bears

49ers rushing offense vs. Bears rushing defense

Mismatch alert, part 2. 49ers running back Frank Gore is a classic north-and-south runner who just as easily would prefer to plow through a defender than go around him. The Bears are reeling after allowing the soft-running Arizona Cardinals to pile up almost 200 yards on the ground. This could be ugly.

Edge: 49ers

49ers passing offense vs. Bears passing defense

At this point, how could we say the Bears passing defense has an edge over anything? The Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals showed that Lovie Smith’s scheme and personnel both need major upgrades. Injuries to Bears safeties Al Afalava and Kevin Payne only make a bad situation worse.

Edge: 49ers

Overall

The Bears displayed three hours’ worth of glaring weaknesses Sunday in a 41-21 loss at home. Is it realistic to think the Bears will solve all of those problems with one day of practice and a couple of walk-through sessions? The 49ers also have struggled, but we won’t pick the Bears to win until they earn back our trust.

Prediction: 49ers 31, Bears 27

-Tom Musick

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