Finding the wins on 49ers’ remaining 2017 schedule

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 01: Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Chris Harper #14 of the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 04: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by Gerald Hodges #51 (L) and Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ersafter running for a first down at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 04: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by Gerald Hodges #51 (L) and Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ersafter running for a first down at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Week 13 @ Chicago Bears

Opponent’s Record: 3-5

Week 13 offers up one of the better chances the Niners may have to pull off a victory this season.

At 3-5, the Chicago Bears have finally turned over their offensive hopes to rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky after the veteran, Mike Glennon, was mostly ineffective to start the season. Trubisky hasn’t been great, completing just 47.5 percent of his passes, but the Bears haven’t exactly asked him to do a lot either.

Instead, Chicago has gone with a relatively simple formula — put the ball in the hands of running back Jordan Howard and let the defense do its work.

The Bears’ record speaks for itself, but the defense has surprisingly played pretty well at home this year. Chicago has yet to allow more than 23 points at Soldier Field this season, and this effort was capped off by a Week 7 home win over the Carolina Panthers 17-3.

The likeliest of scenarios is San Francisco having issues with Howard in this contest. That leads to a fresher Bears defense capable of limiting anything the banged-up Niners offense can do.

Chicago wins in dull fashion.

Prediction: 49ers 17, Bears 21