Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (49ers -7, O/U 36.5)

Why couldn’t this game have taken place two weeks ago?
Two of the top teams in the NFC, the Bears (7-2) and 49ers (6-2-1), could be without their starting quarterbacks for Monday night football in a game that could determine home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Jay Cutler and Alex Smith both got their bells rung last week and were forced out of their respective games. Cutler has been ruled out for Monday’s contest, while Smith is a big question mark. He practiced Saturday, but hasn’t yet been cleared to play by doctors. Smith’s status may not be finalized until hours before kickoff.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the starting pivots, sportsbooks delayed posting a spread on the game until late in the week. The Niners opened as 6.5-point favourites and were quickly bet up to touchdown chalk. The total was set at 36.5.
Even if Smith doesn’t play and the backup quarterbacks are forced into action for both teams, that would seem to give San Francisco an advantage. Rookie Colin Kaepernick completed 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards and also ran for 66 yards and a touchdown to help the Niners rally for a 24-24 tie last week against the Rams. Jason Campbell was 11 for 19 and 94 yards through the air in the second half of Chicago’s loss to Houston.
The favourite and the home team are both 5-1 against the spread in the last six meetings between the teams. Both squads have shown a tendency to play good defence following a sub-par performance. The Bears are 19-8 under the total in their last 27 games after a loss, and the Niners are 13-3 to the under after allowing 150-plus rushing yards in their previous game.