NostraButkus: 5 Bold Predictions for Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers

The Chicago Bears face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday from Soldier Field. Loser gets the coveted number two pick in the NFL Draft. Here are 5 bold predictions for the game.

Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders perform during the break between the first and second quarters against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi

NostraButkus was up to his old tricks last Sunday. He gave his predictions for the Chicago Bears-Tennesee Titans game and as usual, they were dead-on accurate. He looked as if he might have his most accurate session of the year. His final score was seen as 27-6, with the Bears trailing 27-7 in the fourth, it appeared to be another triumph for NostraButkus when suddenly there was a great disturbance in the universe.

No one saw it coming, not even NostraButkus. Soldier Field was hit with a force so strong, that it shook the stadium to its foundation and jolted the Bears into a football team that looked competent. The defense made all the necessary stops. Matt Barkley looked like a competent quarterback. The Bears were eerily good for about 12 minutes of football.

As powerful as this force was, even it couldn’t turn the Bears’ wide receivers competent. They dropped balls and the Bears came up one TD short of the victory.

The universe appears to have returned to the status quo and the Bears are ready to face the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. NostraButkus has seen the future, and the result, and tells you exactly what to expect.

5. The Chicago Bears will have their best offensive production of the season

Nov 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquess Wilson (10) catches a touchdown pass with Tennessee Titans cornerback Perrish Cox (20) defending during the second half at Soldier Field. Tennessee won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears haven’t scored more than 23 points this season. They’ve only scored more than 20 twice. They had 23 against the Indianapolis Colts and 21 last week against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears were an embarrassing Josh Bellamy drop in the end zone away from topping 23 and reaching a new season high, but Bellamy proved he has the hands of a fifth grade peewee football bench warmer who’s only true position is “left out.”

Despite the lack of capable receivers, the 49ers defense isn’t exactly to be confused with the 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers. They give up massive yardage on the ground and have been giving up points in bunches. The Bears will score more than 23. Mark it down.

4. Both Jordan Howard and Carlos Hyde will surpass 100 yards rushing

Nov 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned before, the 49ers can’t stop the run. Dowell Loggains may not be Bill Walsh, but he certainly knows he needs to keep the pressure off Matt Barkley and establish the ground game. Even without Kyle Long, the Bears offensive line has been opening up holes for Howard. He will have a big day and top 100 yards rushing.

On the reverse side, Carlos Hyde is having a nice season for San Francisco. While he hasn’t had a lot of massive games, he hasn’t had to face a defense where both their starting inside linebackers are hurt. Eddie Goldman has just been getting back on the field, and while he will be effective, he won’t be able to clog up the middle on his own. The Bears we see the potential in Nick Kwiatkoski but also see he isn’t ready for prime time, especially when he’s paired with John Timu. The 49ers will pound the ball and Hyde will topple 100 yards as well.

3. Matt Barkley won’t be terrible

Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley (12) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

This is actually a rather bold prediction. Bears fans are all excited after seeing Matt Barkley in the fourth quarter but that apparently wiped out memories of The QB they saw the first three quarters against Tennessee or the woeful performance against Green Bay.

the fourth quarter last week proved that Barkley does have some redeemable NFL qualities. He won’t be as sharp as he looked in the fourth quarter mostly because he won’t see an ultra-soft prevent defense, but he will also look much better than he did in his other performances as well.

Barkley will throw for about 225 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception and look very average which is actually okay. The performance will show that Barkley may have some potential as a QB2 next season.

2. Colin Kaepernick will continue to surge

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws a pass over Miami Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain (28) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Kaepernick has made plenty of headlines this season thanks to his refusal to stand for the national anthem, but he hadn’t been making any headlines during football games because he was riding pine behind Blaine Gabbert.

The 49ers didn’t want any injury guarantees to kick in on Kaepernick’s contract next season so they decided not to risk it and they weren’t going to play him at all. Once Kaepernick agreed to restructure his deal, the 49ers trotted him out there, and while he’s been inconsistent, he has looked solid the last few weeks.

Kaepernick will never be the guy he was under Jim Harbaugh, but he’s out to prove he’s a viable NFL starter, whether that be for San Francisco or another team. The motivation to play for a job and a contract will continue and he will have another solid outing. Look for him to run for about 50 yards and throw for another 220 and account for two Niners scores.

1. The Chicago Bears will win a football game!

Nov 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of the sparse crowd at Soldier Field during the second half of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Both these teams are bad- really bad. If you ask their fan bases, they are probably rooting for the other team this week as the loser will most likely end up with the second overall pick in the draft.

Unfortunately for fans, professional athletes have a lot of pride and certainly don’t play to lose and neither do the coaches. Both these teams will be fighting hard for a victory on Sunday.

Vic Fangio will have his defense in bend don’t break mode and luckily for Chicago, Jordan Howard will force the Niners defense to bend too far and they will indeed break. Howard will have a big day and the Bears offense will chew up a lot of yardage. The Bears will score 30 points for the first time this season and they will put themselves in the win-column.

Final Score- Chicago Bears 30, San Francisco 49ers 24