Dec. 06--1. Road closed
Not only are the 49ers winless on the road, they've lost their five games away from home by an average score of 35-14. It's a trend of which first-year coach Jim Tomsula is well aware and something he made one of his first talking points this week, examining everything about the 49ers' road routine from "how we travel, when we travel, where we leave, what we eat." Added the 49ers coach: "We've brought it to the forefront. We just need to get on the road, get off the bus and go attack a football game."
2. Going in another direction
Vic Fangio was quickly passed over after interviewing for the 49ers' head-coaching position last winter. At one point, Adam Gase seemed certain to land that job. Ultimately, however, the 49ers changed directions and hired Tomsula. And while Fangio and Gase insist they're happy as Bears coordinators, you can bet they have a little extra drive to remind the Niners brass what they passed up. Both coordinators have been terrific with the Bears and should again be top candidates for head-coaching jobs in a month.
3. It's in the details
For the season, the Bears rank 24th in yards per rush (3.8), and they've managed only a 3.3 yards-per-carry average over the last two weeks. Gase believes it'll only take a few chunk plays and one big game to light a fire, but right tackle Kyle Long doesn't want the coordinator's confidence in the ground game to give the Bears a false sense of security. Said Long: "You look at the film and it's a missed block here, an assignment here. ... If you get all the guys doing the right thing, it's all rainbows."
4. The playoff picture
Yes, with the Bears winning five of their last eight games, postseason hope has risen in Chicago. At present, the 5-6 Bears are in a three-way tie for eighth in the NFC with the Buccaneers and Giants. So proper perspective is required. And it will still be a major chore to leap past the Seahawks, Falcons and Packers. But the Bears certainly can make things interesting and they have only one game left against a team with a winning record -- the NFC North-leading Vikings on Dec. 20. Winning on Sunday at home, as a sizable favorite, is step No. 1.
