49ers vs. Bears preview: San Francisco looks to play spoiler in Week 16

49ers X-factors and players to watch

Mike McGlinchey

Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is having quite a rookie season, but the offensive lineman will have his hands full in Week 16, particularly with Mack, who rushes the quarterback from both sides of the line. McGlinchey held his own against top edge rusher Von Miller in the Niners’ victory over the Broncos, but Chicago’s talented defensive line plays the run even better than the pass, so McGlinchey and the rest of the 49ers’ offensive line will need to bring their “A game” on Sunday:

Tarvarius Moore

Defensive back Tarvarius Moore will likely get his first NFL start today, after seeing his first major action on defense in Week 15. Moore doubled his rookie snap count after Witherspoon’s injury last week, while seeing his first extensive work as a boundary cornerback. The vast majority of Moore’s experience has been on special teams this season, although the 49ers also used the defensive back at a box safety in their “Dollar” 3-2-6 personnel package. If Moore, who was Pro Football Focus’ third-ranked safety prospect prior to the draft, shows that he can play on the outside over the team’s final two games, he could challenge Witherspoon for San Francisco’s starting cornerback job in 2019.

Dante Pettis

Dante Pettis has impressed since taking over as the 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver, averaging 85 receiving yards and a touchdown over his last four games. On Sunday, Pettis will face an elite but banged up Chicago secondary that uses a variety of complex coverage schemes that may be new to the rookie wideout. While the Bears’ defense will be focused on tight end George Kittle, they will also keep an eye on Pettis, given his productivity in recent weeks. Particularly if fellow wide receiver Marquise Goodwin — who played just seven offensive snaps against Seattle — sees more of the field on Sunday, Pettis will get his share of opportunities to continue his late-season surge.

Nick Mullens

Quarterback Nick Mullens has come into his own over the last two weeks, as the first-year QB has helped lead a flailing 1-7 San Francisco team to back to legitimacy. Mullens’ respectable play has even caused some to question whether the former undrafted free-agent will force the 49ers to abandon franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. While the argument is more provocative than realistic, it’s quite telling that six weeks after playing second fiddle to backup QB C.J. Beathard, Mullens is now being compared to the NFL’s elite. Mullens has played his way onto the 49ers’ 53-man roster next season, as the second-string QB job is his to lose. If Mullens wants to truly enter the NFL starting quarterback conversation, he’ll need to perform admirably against the league’s top defense on Sunday.