You already know how Jay Cutler usually plays in prime time games. His record and statistics in prime time contests during his Chicago Bears career speaks for itself. You also know how the San Francisco 49ers have a balanced ground attack. Match that up against the Bears run defense which is….well, you know.
So what could happen Sunday Night in the weekly prime time battle, the first regular season contest ever at Levi Stadium?
Take it away Carrie Underwood. Let’s get the Jim Harbaugh bowl party started!
TV: NBC, Sunday 7:35 PM CST. Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tafoya
SPREAD: 49ers -7
SF 49ers analysis:
Mr. discount khakis hosts the team with which he made his name as a player. It’s looking almost certain that this will be Harbaugh’s final season in the Bay Area.
NFL Network Reporter Ian Rapoport on San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh:
“According to the sources I’m speaking with, including many in the 49ers locker room, Jim Harbaugh may already be losing the players. There are some serious doubts about whether Harbaugh is actually ‘all-in’ like he professes.
“He says he is about the team, the team, the team; the players now wonder is that actually the case. They have dealt with a lot over the last couple of years; some of the way he’s treated them, some lack of respect and all because they are winning, they are fine with it. But some of the players wonder if they lose, will it all spiral out of control?”
“Let me give you an example of this. Harbaugh took the team across the country to spend several days in Baltimore to practice with his brother. Is that about the team, or is that about him? “His contract status is in doubt, did not agree to an extension with the 49ers. He does have two years left on his deal but it is worth asking: is this the last year for Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco?”
By the way, here’s what Tony Dungy expects to see Sunday night in Santa Clara: “I think we’ll see a high-scoring game. San Francisco’s offense clicked better in Dallas last week than it had in the preseason. Chicago has a lot of weaponry on offense with Jay Cutler and Matt Forte. The Bears are going to put points up.”
On a side note, here’s a video of Erin Andrews being called out by Colin Kaepernick:
Chicago Bears analysis: Here’s what we learned about the Chicago Bears on opening day:
I asked Deion Sanders if Buffalo was that good, or if the Bears are that bad. (here’s the full post on the Bears run defense)
“I think the Bears are picking up right where they left off a year ago. Buffalo has a wonderful running game, but we didn’t think they would dominate the Bears in that fashion,” said Sanders.
“The defense is a mirror of what it once was,” Sanders added.
“The defense is a problem, I think they’re old, they have issues at safety, the run defense especially,” said Bill Cowher. “It’s going to put pressure on their quarterback and he’s a quarterback who hasn’t performed when pressure has arrived.”
Here’s the Deion Sanders and Bill Cowher podcast.
Here’s NFL Hall of Famer, Super Bowl XX MVP, Chicago Bears legend and Guest Analyst on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” Richard Dent telling it like it is on the Bears run defense:
Then there’s the whole Jay Cutler throwing two interceptions, one of which was against the grain and across his body (something a rookie would do) right into the hands of the biggest guy on the field. Then he threw it right to the Bills DB in overtime (luckily he dropped it). Still, #CuttyDoesIt makes $1.4 million a game, and that’s what close to a million and a half bucks gets you; supposedly.
Michael Irvin is still high on Cutler (link).
London Fletcher actually ripped Cutler pretty bad (link)
Brutally Honest Prediction: S.F. 49ers 31, Chicago Bears 17
You can understand why the Chicago Bears are a touchdown underdog in this one. Also, you should read my cover story in the RedEye this week about Cutler being the highest paid player in the NFL this season. I had some exclusive interviews with the biggest names in NFL broadcasting, and the high profile national media pundits opined on Jay day’s payday.
– Week 1: Let’s Go Primetime – Deion Sanders provides his top 10 performances of Week 1:
Paul M. Banks owns and manages The Sports Bank.net, in partnership with Fox Sports and Yahoo. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)