San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears: Betting Guide
San Francisco’s season is in trouble and the quarterback controversy is rearing its ugly head once again, but books tip the Niners as the firm road favorites over the Chicago Bears for Week 8 of the NFL. Will the Niners come through for NFL picks against the spread.
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49ers vs Bears Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| San Francisco 49ers | -4 -110 | -200 | 39½ -110o |
| Chicago Bears | +4 -110 | +170 | 39½ -110u |
Head-to-Head
This is the first meeting between the Niners and Bears since 2018. The Bears clinched the 14-9 victory on Dec. 23, 2018. A lot has changed since then in both camps, rendering the past records a moot point for betting online this time around.
San Francisco 49ers
Next game: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Last Game
The Niners dropped their fourth straight game, losing to the Indianapolis Colts 30-18 on a rain-soaked Sunday Night Football showdown in Week 7. Not even the return of Jimmy Garoppolo from a calf injury could stop the Niners from their embarrassing freefall in 2021, and it didn’t take long before boos from the crowd joined in with the rain droplets in an incessant downpour that was somehow symbolic of the disappointing performance.
Sloppy play, penalties, turnovers, and timid play-calling were behind the Niners’ demise. Garoppolo wasn’t up to snuff and the Niners’ offense sputtered, but the defensive pass interference calls were the worst culprit. Carson Wentz’s deep throws capitalized on a number of those when they were flagged, and Frank Reich simply outcoached Shanahan.
Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan in practice this week pic.twitter.com/r6kMhX0P65
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) October 25, 2021
Injury Report
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion) and defensive lineman Dee Ford (concussion) are doubtful. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (knee) is out for the season. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) and quarterback Trey Lance (knee) are probable. Defensive lineman Kevin Givens (ankle), defensive lineman Samson Ebukam (ankle) and tackle Trent Williams (ankle) are questionable.
Chicago Bears
Next game: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Game
The Chicago Bears were humiliated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday in a 38-3 defeat that was underscored by five turnovers.
The Bears could get no traction whatsoever on the offensive side of the ball as the Buccaneers defense held Fields and Co. to one field goal and just two third-down conversions. To add insult to injury, Fields was also sacked four times on the forgettable outing at Raymond James Stadium.
Injury Report
Defensive lineman Akim Hicks (groin), wide receiver Allen Robinson Ii (ankle), defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (knee), defensive lineman Sam Kamara (knee), tight end J.P. Holtz (quadricep), wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (ankle), and offensive lineman James Daniels (knee) are all probable. Offensive lineman Larry Boom (ankle) is questionable, while linebacker Khalil Mack (foot) is out for Sunday.
#TENvsIND: "Don't be shocked if Jonathan Taylor has a better outing than Derrick Henry."
#PITvsCLE: "I think Baker plays."
#SFvsCHI: "We need a happy Justin Fields."We're hitting these matchups #MadMinute style. pic.twitter.com/bxbkQvLqL9
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) October 29, 2021
Betting on the Game
Neither the Niners nor the Bears come into this game with anything resembling confidence or form, and both teams are dealing with a significant amount of injuries on both sides of the ball. Moreover, Nagy’s availability for this game is uncertain, and it looks like it will be a game-time decision due to Covid-19. And yet, despite these factors, the NFL odds are conspicuously cornered with the Niners.
How the Bears might keep this game close is hard to imagine. The Bears are struggling, and they haven’t figured out how to best utilize Fields’ skillset. So backing the Bears as the home underdogs feel risky.
Matt Nagy is probably responsible for much of his rookie’s woes. He’s wrapped his precious draft pick in bubble wrap, and he hasn’t created the right conditions for the rookie to succeed at all. Fields has two touchdowns and 816 passing yards through his limited starts in the NFL As well, he has six interceptions to his credit and ranks 32nd with one of the worst QBRs.
On paper, San Francisco is the better team, but they haven’t quite played up to their potential. Some of it is down to injuries and some of it is down to Shanahan’s playcalling, especially in last week’s loss to the Colts. It may be hard to lay down as many as four points with the Niners right now, but the alternative is less appealing.
The total for this game is one of the lowest on the sportsbook board, and it’s easy to understand why. San Francisco and Chicago have a penchant to run the ball more often than not, so unless the tact for the game changes, it’s likely to be a low-scoring affair.
