The 7-2 Chicago Bears visit the 6-3-1 San Francisco 49ers tomorrow night in a clash of contradicting personalities.
Entering Week 10, the Bears are essentially doing the same thing the 49ers were doing last season: turning lots of turnovers into points. This season alone, Bears cornerback Tim Jennings has eight interceptions and Charles Tillman has seven forced fumbles. Chicago has a +14 turnover differential, and they have registered 30 total takeaways. With 7 games left, they have a decent shot at matching the 49ers 38 takeaways last season.
Tillman and the Bears “opportunistic” ways have certainly garnered the attention of 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
“I think the coaches probably love him because he does everything exactly right. He is by-the-book and he’s a technician,” Roman said. “And then when it comes to stripping the ball and punching it out, he is just so far ahead of everybody, it’s not even funny, everybody else. I can’t say I’ve seen anybody do it with that kind of precision.
“The first thing that jumps out to anybody that looks at the Bears defense is just the amount of turnovers they’ve caused,” he continued. “A lot of them, they’ve caused, it’s not just a team giving the ball away, they’re taking it.”
On the other side of the line of scrimmage will be the ultra-protective Alex Smith and the 49ers run-first West Coast offense. The 49ers currently have a +4 differential and have only turned the ball over 9 total times (5 INTs, 4 fumbles). If there is one thing (other than the the obvious winning) that has greatly improved under Jim Harbaugh, it’s the ability to take care of the football.
Smith was cleared to practice a few days ago after suffering a concussion in last week’s game against the Rams. However, his status on starting Monday night is pending the result of the “contact test.” While what this actually entails is still a question, LT Joe Staley – who has had a few concussions in the past – shared some insight.
“For me, I had to bang against another person with my helmet,” Staley said. “A quarterback is probably different, because his job doesn’t consist of banging someone’s head.”
He has been participating in practice, but has been wearing a black non-contact jersey. He is currently listed as “Questionable.”
“Alex is going through the protocol right now and that’s in the doctor’s hands,” Roman said. “When we know, you will probably know.”
Chicago’s Jay Cutler, who also sustained a concussion last week, is out for Monday. Backup and former Raiders QB Jason Campbell will get the start.
Other notes: Jim Harbaugh, who was hospitalized earlier this week for an irregular heartbeat, has been released from the hospital and will be on the sidelines tomorrow.
Kickoff is at 5:30 PST.
