Bears Blitz

Published by Matt Eurich on September 12, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

After a deflating 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, the Chicago Bears will face the difficult task of traveling to San Francisco to take on the 49ers this week on Sunday Night Football.

The Bears will look to improve to 1-1 on the season, but they have not won a game in San Francisco since 1985. Since 1987, the Bears have been outscored by the 49ers 271-49 in eight games played in San Francisco.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has faced the 49ers only once as a member of the Chicago Bears, completing 29 passes for 307 yards with five interceptions in a 10-6 loss back in 2009.

Earlier this week, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh called Cutler a great quarterback, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times:

#49ers coach Jim Harbaugh on #Bears‘ Jay Cutler: “I think he’s a great quarterback. You don’t need me to tell you that.”

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) September 11, 2014

Cutler has shown flashes of greatness in the past, but he will have to overcome his tendency to throw interceptions in critical situations. 

The 49ers are coming off a 28-17 victory over Dallas in Week 1. The San Francisco defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions from Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

No game in Week 2 is ever considered a must-win, but based off recent history in the NFL, teams that fall to 0-2 to start the season stand only a 12 percent chance of making the playoffs:

Only 12% of the teams under the current playoff format – which began in 1990 – made the playoffs after beginning the season 0-2

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 10, 2014

The Bears will have their work cut out for them in Week 2 if they want to avoid dropping to 0-2 against a 49ers team that has gone to the last three NFC Championship Games and will open their brand new stadium, Levi’s Stadium, on Sunday night.

Here is our Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco Week 2 preview. 

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