49ERS TODAY

BEARS AT 49ERS

WHERE: Candlestick Park

WHEN: 5:20 p.m.

TV: Ch. 44; NFL Network

RADIO: KNBR 680-AM, KSAN 107.7-FM

THE LINE: 49ers by 3 (43½ total)

THE SERIES: The 49ers lead series 30-29-1.

LAST MEETING: The Bears jumped out to a 41-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 41-10 victory on Oct. 29, 2006, at Soldier Field. Alex Smith completed 16 of 26 passes for 146 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the losing effort.

INJURY REPORT

BEARS — S Kevin Payne (back), LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), RB Garrett Wolfe (back) are out; S Al Afalava (shoulder) is questionable; TE Desmond Clark (neck), DT Tommie Harris (knee), CB Charles Tillman (shoulder) are probable.

49ERS — CB Nate Clements (shoulder), RB Glen Coffee (concussion), DT Demetric Evans (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee) are out; WR Isaac Bruce (ankle) is questionable; G David Baas (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (rib), TE Vernon Davis (shoulder), RB Frank Gore (eye lid), WR Jason Hill (ankle), WR Brandon Jones (knee), S Michael Lewis (quadricep), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder), LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder), S Curtis Taylor (shin), TE Delanie Walker (shin, knee) are probable.

SPOTTING TRENDS

BEARS (4-4): After getting off to a 3-1 start and with expectations high, the Bears have come crashing down with losses in three of their past four games. The only win during that time came against the hapless Cleveland Browns. The Bears lost 45-10 to the Cincinnati Bengals. They were pummeled last week by the Arizona Cardinals 41-21. The addition of quarterback Jay Cutler has yet to pay dividends. Cutler has thrown 14 touchdowns through eight games, but he has also been intercepted 12 times. Coach Lovie Smith wants the Bears to run the ball, but featured back Matt Forte has averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. Chicago’s defense has also been spotty after the loss of middle linebacker Brian Urlacher to a season-ending injury.

49ERS (3-5): The 49ers enter tonight’s game two games behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. Quarterback Alex Smith will start for the third straight game. He must avoid the turnovers that plagued him in the 49ers’ loss Sunday against the Tennessee Titans when he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. The 49ers are making the transition to younger, fresher legs at wideout. Jason Hill will take over for veteran Isaac Bruce, who has struggled in his 16th NFL season. The 49ers’ top three wideouts are a rookie (Michael Crabtree), a second-year player (Josh Morgan) and a third-year pro (Hill). The 49ers defense has been up and down this season. The 49ers have been very good on defense when they’ve been able to generate a pass rush.

QUOTE TO NOTE

“(I’m) excited that the country will have a chance to see the 49ers — the young 49ers — come of age in the second half of the season. I am excited about that.”

— 49ers coach Mike Singletary on tonight’s nationally televised game

DEPENDABLES

BEARS WILL WIN IF . . . Cutler gets time to throw and the Bears gain 5 yards consistently on first downs.

49ERS WILL WIN IF . . . Alex Smith avoids turnovers, and the 49ers’ pass rush re-emerges.

KEY MATCHUPS

TE Vernon Davis vs. Bears defense

Davis got everyone’s attention when he said the 49ers could “destroy” the Bears front 7. Four-time Pro Bowler Lance Briggs might have something to say about that.

S Dashon Goldson vs. QB Jay Cutler

Goldson is on the field for his playmaking ability. He has one interception and one fumble recovery. He might get a chance against Cutler, who’s thrown 12 picks.

P Andy Lee vs. PR Devin Hester

Lee is having an outstanding season, ranking second in the NFL in punting. Hester has 12 career touchdown returns.