All signs point to the Bears rebounding from the Arizona debacle the same way they did the Cincinnati game: By playing a team that is in worse shape than them. San Francisco has lost four in a row, including a seven-point loss on Sunday to the dreadful Tennessee Titans. But one thing disturbs us about this game, and it’s not the fact that it’s a road game against a Mike Singletary-coached team on a Thursday night. No, it’s Frank Gore. If Arizona’s last-ranked running attack can run up 131 yards in the first half against the Bears, imagine what Gore is going to do to them. Gore is averaging 5.6 yards a carry, second only to Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (6.2) among full-time starters in the league. Even if the Bears get to shaky 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, Gore will punch holes all over the their soft and injury-plagued front seven. This is a reach, one we’re willing to take with a 6-2 record picking Bears games this season.
Prediction: 49ers 24, Bears 17

-- MIKE REILLEY
Follow him on Twitter @bearsblogblitz

There's nothing to suggest the Bears are going to bounce back from last week's Cardinal attack, the most violent bird mauling I've ever seen outside of a Hitchcock movie. Facing a short week and having to travel to California doesn't help. Plus I suspect Samurai Mike will have his team pumped up more than Sleepy Lovie. Alex Smith is probably good for a couple turnovers, which will help keep the game close, but I shudder to think about Frank Gore running over this defense.
Prediction: 49ers 20, Bears 17

-- BRANDON TRISSLER

The Bears defense laid down last week, and it didn't help that Arizona had all the weapons that the Bears most dread - especially a guy like Larry Fitzgerald. Michael Crabtree might become a great NFL receiver, but he's not Fitzgerald just yet, and so the Bears ought to be able to at least "maintain" the 49ers offense. That's going to force the Niners to move up and down the field, rather than strike fast on big plays. The Bears, on the other hand - even for a brief moment against Arizona - possess that more urgent capability, something they've been looking for a long time. So figure a few big plays on the Bears side of the ball, and perhaps one or two less against the Bears because of some defensive lapse. No offense to the 49ers, because they are certainly a capable team - especially on defense - but the Bears ought to be better. Or else.
Prediction: Bears 28, 49ers 17

-- THOMAS TYRER

Can the Bears show the guts to come back with a short week, travel to the West Coast and pull out a win? No. They have no chance. Well, of course they have a chance, but they haven't shown me anything that would give me any confidence that they can take that chance and do anything with it.  Frank Gore should be able to run all over them.  As long as Coach Singletary doesn't get crazy with the passing game they should be able to stop the run and hurry Cutler into some mistakes. They have a chance if they can put some pressure on Smith and score off of turnovers.  Otherwise it will be a long evening.
Prediction: 49ers 20, Bears 13

--CHET GRESHAM
Follow him on Twitter @Razzball

To think both of these teams were 3-1 once upon early October. Although a lot of the luster has been knocked off this game since, the winner can take some consolation in that they - remarkably - still might have a prayer in the NFC playoff race. These short week games frequently provide the home team (San Francisco) an edge, and I would think that even if the Bears weren't coming off performances ranging from disastrous to mediocre and back to disastrous. I guess I could be surprised, but I don't know how the Bears will be able to spring Matt Forte or give Jay Cutler any time to throw the ball.
Prediction: 49ers 20, Bears 10

-- CHRIS BAYEE

Consensus: 49ers win