This is the time of the year when we start getting more of the NFL.

That’s right, Thursday Night Football returns this 2009 NFL football season as we kick of Week 10 earlier than usual.

And for the first featured game of Thursday Night Football, we have a dandy, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Chicago Bears. The 49ers are trying to regroup from a four-game losing streak and I expect them to go all out against Chicago. However, I’m not expecting the Bears to just roll over for these guys.

Coming from a blowout 35-0 victory over St. Louis last Oct. 4, the San Francisco 49ers improved to 3-1 and sat alone atop the NFC West. But things went down spiral since, as they went on to lose four consecutive games.

The 49ers, a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2002, lost 34-27 last Sunday against Tennessee, as they gave the Titans their first road victory and second win overall. Alex Smith, who was playing in his first game as a starter this season, threw two of his three interceptions in the final 6:24, fumbled twice and was sacked four times.

Can Mike Singletary coach the 49ers to a win over the Bears this Thursday night?

For Singletary, a win over the Bears will be huge considering that he was once playing for this team before landing a coaching job in San Francisco. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 1981 draft and played 12 seasons at middle linebacker, spearheading one of the best defenses in NFL history while winning a Super Bowl following the 1985 season.

The Chicago Bears could sure use that throwback ‘85 defense these days.

They were carved up for 438 yards in last Sunday’s 41-21 loss to Arizona, 10 yards fewer than they yielded in a 45-10 defeat at Cincinnati on Oct. 25. Chicago allowed Kurt Warner to tie a career high by throwing five touchdowns while allowing the Cardinals to gain a season-best 182 yards on the ground.

The Bears, who lost star linebacker Brian Urlacher to a season-ending wrist injury in their opener, were also without Tommie Harris for virtually all of last Sunday’s game. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle slugged Cardinals’ guard Deuce Lutui in the head as they were on the ground, resulting in Harris’ ejection 1:05 into the first quarter.

The Bears clearly missed his defensive presence all game long.

This marks the 58th regular-season meeting between the two teams. The Bears lead 29-27-1 all-time. The teams have also met three times in the NFC playoffs, with the 49ers winning each of those meetings.

So who’s our pick? Since the 49ers are still trying to find some consistency in the quarterback position, we’re picking the Bears just because Jay Cutler is a little bit more reliable than Alex Smith at this point of the season.

Are you ready to bet on Thursday Night Football? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Chicago Bears +3

San Francisco 49ers -3

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more NFL betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.

Chicago Bears San Francisco 49ers