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49ers vs. Bears: 5 key San Francisco matchups to watch in Week 13

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 06: Ka'Deem Carey #25 of the Chicago Bears carries the football for 4 yards toward the endzone, resulting in a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 06: Ka'Deem Carey #25 of the Chicago Bears carries the football for 4 yards toward the endzone, resulting in a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers is taken down by Mack Hollins #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers is taken down by Mack Hollins #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Wide Receiver Trent Taylor vs. Cornerback Cre’von LeBlanc

The Bears could be without starting nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan in Week 13, as he’s missed the last three games with a knee injury and remains questionable.

If he remains out, this forces Chicago to start backup nickel corner Cre’von LeBlanc — an undrafted free agent who has seen just 105 coverage snaps this season.

As noted earlier, the Bears defense has performed well at home this season, and defensive backs coach Ed Donatell deserves a lot of credit for his work within the secondary. But LeBlanc is among the least experienced within this crop, meaning the Niners should take advantage.

This means increased usage of rookie wideout Trent Taylor, who hasn’t seen more than three targets in each of the last three games he’s played.

To date, Taylor has just 26 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown. But with the 49ers facing more experienced corners on the outside, one of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s plans should be to put his complex offense up against a nickel corner lacking the necessary experience to read and react to quick routes.

The pressure is on Taylor too.