3 key questions facing Chicago Bears with 49ers up next

There were a lot more questions than answers for the Bears after their 31-3 loss in Week 12 to the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Here are three questions about the 3-8 Bears as they prepare this week to host the 1-10 San Francisco 49ers.

1. Will quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo make his first start for San Francisco when the 49ers come to Soldier Field for Sunday's battle of NFC cellar dwellers?

He should. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan did not want to rush the four-year veteran and Rolling Meadows H.S. grad into the starting lineup after he was acquired from the Patriots for a second-round draft pick on Oct. 31. But Garoppolo has had a month in the system, he's a quick study, and he looked sharp in finishing Sunday's 24-13 loss to the Seahawks when rookie starter C.J. Beathard exited with a bruised lower left leg.

2. Even though they're coming off their most one-sided defeat of the season, the Bears should be able to bounce back against the 49ers, right?

Don't bet on it. The 49ers are just 1-10, but got their first win two weeks ago, 31-21 over the Giants. The Niners have been extremely competitive all season. Starting in Week Two they lost five consecutive games by 3, 2, 3, 3 and 2 points to the Seahawks, Rams, Cardinals, Colts and Redskins — and only the Rams game was at home.

3. What was the most embarrassing aspect of Sunday's loss?

Six rushing yards. That's 6. As in half a dozen. It was the second-fewest rushing yards in a game in franchise history, and the Bears' lowest in 65 years, since they rushed for 1 yard against the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. The Bears entered the game averaging 131.8 rushing yards per game, fifth best in the NFL. Ironically, they rushed for 222 yards a week earlier, the third time this season they've run for more than 220 in a game.