Mike Singletary will get a chance to show his former team that he was more than a player. The first-time coach is 0-4 SU since the Niners signed potential Pro Bowler Michael Crabtree, but righting the ship at home tonight is going to be priority one. Will Singletary get embarrassed in his first game against the franchise he won a Super Bowl with?
San Francisco made the right call inserting Alex Smith in to the starting lineup. Smith has averaged 230.0 yards per game while piling up 6 touchdowns and five picks. He’s certainly increased the production of Frank Gore, if for the lone reason that he can launch the deep ball. The Niners are 5-2-1 ATS overall, but have crumbled in a four-game losing streak capped by a 27-34 loss to the Titans last weekend. We’ve gone from conceiving the Niners as a playoff contender, and a force of nature in the NFC West, to an outside shot to challenge for the wildcard.
Chicago is no better. With just a 2-3 SU record over their last five games, you simply can’t trust them. They beat Detroit and Cleveland. Who cares? Aside from those teams, they’ve gotten pummelled by good teams this season going 1-5 ATS on the road in their past 6 tries. Chicago is also 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games against San Francisco, and they’re simply not playing with the passion you expect from a champion. The Bears simply can’t beat good teams…but that’s the problem in this game. We don’t know what the Niners are.
Chicago Bears (4-4) vs. San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Thursday, November 12th --- Candlestick Park, San Francisco --- 8:20pm EST
NFL Betting Line: San Francisco -3 (43.5)
This brings us to the coaches. Mike Singletary made headlines by taking over for Mike Nolan, and following that act up by dropping his freaking pants in the locker room during halftime. The Niners, however, have rallied behind Mike’s sense of urgency and passion for the game. The offense scores 21.8 points per game but are ranked just 19th in the league in overall scoring. The rushing assault is the backbone for San Francisco, ranking 7th at home with 140.0 yards per game.
On the other sideline stands Lovie Smith, a man I’ve openly cavnassed to get fired. What the hell has he done in Chicago besides ride the coattails of one of the NFL’s greatest defesnive players from recent memory (Urlacher)? He stripped special teams of a play maker, moving Devin Hestor from return-man to receiver and has piloted Jay Cutler’s stock in to the dirt. Along the way, the Bears have seemed to blame the lack of defensive presnce on the field (22nd overall on defense) to the Bears struggles. Not so: it’s Lovie, guys.
Both teams are a little suspect, and their even records show for it. But in a game where I can’t decide who gets the nod based on talent, I side with the coaches. Singletary’s passion wins over Lovie’s incompetence. Couple that with the home advantage of San Fran and you’ve got an NFL betting winner.
Furious Free Pick: San Fran -3 (OVER)