OK, here's my bold prediction for the year. The San Francisco 49ers will be victorious over the Chicago Bears this week. Before you say "you're nuts, butcher boy", hear me out.
1.) Both teams are coming off their Bye week. However, the 49ers are still going to be pissed off about the drubbing they took from the Chargers two weeks ago. The 6-0 bears, on the other hand, are coming off a very emotional victory and are due for a letdown game.
2.) Arizona showed the league how to penetrate the Bears defense. Now, the Bears are also without Mike Brown. You better believe Mike Nolan will have the team ready for this. Alex Smith is very similar to Leinart in the way he progressed this year and should have the same success.
3.) Last year, the Niners were able to all but eliminate the home field advantage the Bears had and kept the game to a defensive struggle (the Wind Bowl. remember the wild field goal attempts in that from this game last year?). This year, the 49ers actually have an offense. Alex Smith will take over this game.
4.) Rex Grossman has reverted back to the horrible QB we all know and love. What was it? 6 INTs vs. Arizona?
4.) Larry Allen and Jonas Jennings will be returning from injuries to their starting positions at OL.
I know this won't be a popular opinion, but I stand by it.
Final score:
49ers 17
Bears 14