The Chicago Bears have received some favorable circumstances this season, bolstering their standings as they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. As the Bears navigated their early challenges, they faced several teams without their star players, including CeeDee Lamb of the Cowboys, Lamar Jackson of the Ravens, Joe Burrow of the Bengals, and Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers. In a stroke of luck for the Bears, the 49ers’ standout tight end, George Kittle, is currently dealing with an ankle sprain and is questionable for this crucial game.
If Kittle is unable to play, it would further exemplify the Bears’ trend of benefitting from opponents’ misfortunes. Additionally, imagine a scenario where Kittle misses the upcoming game against the Bears but returns in time to help the 49ers defeat the Seahawks in Week 18, potentially clearing the way for the Bears to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. However, there’s a case to be made that the Bears might actually benefit more from facing a fully loaded 49ers team, as it would provide a critical test ahead of potential playoff runs.
Having recently triumphed against playoff contenders like the Eagles and Packers, the Bears are no longer seen as inexperienced. Yet, a match against a strong 49ers squad could be an invaluable opportunity for the Bears, who seek to solidify their status as serious contenders. The 49ers, meanwhile, are also in the hunt for the No. 1 seed and can achieve it with wins against the Bears and Seahawks.
Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson understands the significance of such high-pressure games, recalling last season when a similar situation for the Lions turned disastrous despite their earlier successes. His offensive scheme has greatly improved this year, moving the Bears from 28th to 10th in scoring. However, the true test will be against the formidable 49ers offense, which has averaged an impressive 34.4 points per game since quarterback Brock Purdy’s return from injury. With standout players like running back Christian McCaffrey and potentially Kittle at the helm, the 49ers are undeniably dangerous.
“They’re hot right now,” Johnson noted, emphasizing the challenge of facing a Kyle Shanahan-led team filled with elite playmakers. He highlighted that while past 49ers offenses favored the run, this season’s squad has leaned more heavily on the passing game, making them even more formidable. As the Bears prepare for this encounter, the stakes have never been higher, and the outcome may prove pivotal for both teams as the season heads toward the playoffs.
With playoff implications looming, fans on both sides are likely to witness an exciting matchup that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.