AP photo: Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley drops back to throw against the Tennessee Titans last Sun Nov 27 in Chicago, Barkley and the Bears prepare against the San Francisco 49ers for this Sunday

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA–San Francisco has yet to a win a game on a Sunday, but over the past three games, there has been a lot of improvement compared to early on in the season. The past two road games have also come down to the last play in each contest, where things just didn’t go the Niners way.

This week, they are facing the (2-9) Chicago Bears, a game that will have huge implications on the draft order come April. Chicago comes into the contest on a three-game losing skid, going winless in the month of November.

Their last win came on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, where the upset the top team in the NFC North 20-10. The two teams have combined for just one win in the past eight weeks.

Since then, Chicago has lost starting quarterback Jay Cutler and has been forced to ride to the coattails of Brian Hoyer, but he also got injured. Stepping into the position is Matt Barkley. The former USC Trojan made his first NFL start last week, throwing for over 300 yards and completing over half of his pass attempts.

Stopping Barkley in his second career start should be a focus for San Francisco, as it will be a telling sign of what the 49ers are made of.

Having stayed on the east coast all week and practicing in Orlando Florida, the 49ers won’t have to make the cross-country trip once again and will have adapted to the east coast time zone. Hopefully, it will all accumulate for a win for the Niners.