After an off day Tuesday, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to continue preparing for Sunday's home game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Bears (5-6) have won three of their last four games and are 5-3 since opening the season with consecutive losses to the Packers, Cardinals and Seahawks. With a win Sunday, the Bears would reach the .500 mark after an 0-3 start in a season for the first time since 1965.
| Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has compiled a 100.8 passer rating in the last four games. |
The Bears have allowed less than 20 points in four straight games for the first time since 2012 and have permitted an average of 17 points in their last five contests, fourth best in the NFL. In a 17-13 win over the Packers Thanksgiving night, they held quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a 62.4 passer rating, his lowest in 61 career starts at Lambeau Field.
The 49ers (3-8) have lost two straight, four of their last five and eight of 10 since opening the season with a 20-3 win over the Vikings in San Francisco. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has registered a passer rating of 90 or higher in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
Several Bears assistant coaches have worked for the 49ers. They include defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (2011-14), offensive coordinator Adam Gase (2008), special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers (2003-04) and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell (2011-14).
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has compiled a 100.8 passer rating in the last four games. He has played three contests against the 49ers in his career, completing 73 of 118 passes for 713 yards with five touchdowns, six interceptions and a 71.8 passer rating.
The Bears trail the all-time series with the 49ers 32-20-1 but have won four of the last six. The Bears won the last meeting 28-20 on Sept. 14, 2014 in the inaugural game at Levi's Stadium.
The Bears outscored the 49ers 21-0 in the fourth quarter as Cutler threw three TD passes to erase a 20-7 deficit. Brandon Marshall had three TD receptions in the game and Kyle Fuller had two interceptions in the fourth quarter as the Bears won for the first time in San Francisco since 1985.
Entering Week 13, the Bears rank 20th in offense (16th rushing and 21st passing) and rank 14th in defense (29th against the run and 2nd versus the pass). The 49ers rank 32nd in offense (20th rushing and 30th passing) and 29th in defense (25th against the run and 28th versus the pass).
ChicagoBears.com will provide all the latest news throughout the week from Halas Hall. Coach John Fox will address the media Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Fangio and Rodgers will be available Wednesday, while Cutler and Gase will speak Thursday.
