Bears vs. 49ers Predictions & Opening Odds for Sunday Night Football: NFL Week 17

My best Bears vs. 49ers prediction based on the opening odds for the 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday Night Football game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (NBC/Peacock), focus on the Bears’ rushing attack. Early picks favor the Bears, as the spread has dropped from 49ers -3 to -2.5.

Both of these teams clinched playoff berths last week, but neither will be taking it easy with seeding and divisions still up for grabs. Let's examine the matchup as part of our NFL Week 17 predictions.

🏈 Early Bears vs. 49ers prediction & betting preview

Stay ahead with the rest of our early NFL picks for Week 17.

Bears +2.5 (+102) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The 49ers are allowing the 12th-fewest rushing yards per game (106.1), but they’re givng up 4.3 yards per carry, which ranks 18th. The Bears boast the second-ranked rushing attack, which is averaging 152.1 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry.

The Bears have held three of their last four opponents to 16 or fewer points, and they lead the league with a plus-21 turnover differential. The 49ers have a turnover differential of minus-5.

📊 Live Bears vs. 49ers odds: Sunday Night Football

See the latest NFL odds for every game in Week 17.

🔢 Bears vs. 49ers opening odds

• Moneyline: Bears +136 | 49ers -162
• Spread: Bears +3 (-110) | 49ers -3 (-110)
• Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)

↔️ Bears vs. 49ers line movement

The 49ers opened as 3-point favorites, but the spread has dropped to 2.5 before San Francisco has even played its Week 16 game. I expect this number to remain around 2.5 or 3 throughout the week. Unless the 49ers destroy the Colts on Monday, I’d be surprised to see the 49ers ever favored by 3.5.

I expect the public to bet the Under, as three of the Bears’ last four games have featured fewer than 40 points. 50.5 seems really high for this game, and I anticipate this number to be closer to 48.5 by kickoff.

📈 Bears vs. 49ers trends & betting notes: SNF

• The Over is 4-2 in the 49ers’ last six games, though the defense has held two of its last three opponents to single digits
• The 49ers have covered in four of their last five games as favorites
• The Under is 5-2 in the Bears’ last seven games
• The Bears are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games, and they’re 5-3 against the spread as underdogs this season

📺 How to watch Bears vs. 49ers: Sunday Night Football

• Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
• Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
• TV: NBC/Peacock