Bears vs. 49ers: Colin Kaepernick wins battle of the backups

Let’s try and sort this out.

Circle Week 15 on your calendar. That week claims a number of marquee matchups featuring the teams mentioned above, setting up a crucial pivot point in the playoff race. Take a look at the next three games for each of these teams:

With Smith suffering from a concussion, Kaepernick made the most of his first career NFL start, completing 16-of-23 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, good for a nifty 133.1 QB rating.

The Niners now have an official quarterback controversy on their hands. Alex Smith has been effective, if limited, in their run-first offense, but Kaepernick offers a whole new dimension with his deep arm and running threat.

It wasn’t a pleasant night for Chicago Bears fans, as their team was thoroughly dominated by the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, losing 32-7.

The Bears were held to 143 total yards of offense and a pretty pedestrian 2.6 yards per play.

Chicago fans at Windy City Gridiron immediately came to one conclusion: They really missed not having Jay Cutler out there.

Cutler was injured last week against the Houston Texans, and his concussion kept him out of Monday night’s contest against San Francisco. Jason Campbell had to step in, and he could not produce any meaningful offense, throwing only 107 yards while getting sacked six times. Campbell also threw two interceptions to set up two San Francisco field goals.

Fantasy Impact: Forte was behind the eight-ball from the start of the game, when the Niners took a quick 17-0 lead and never looked back.

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Kaepernick, making his first NFL start in place of the concussed Alex Smith, looked like a veteran throughout the game against the normally stout Bears defense. The second-year quarterback completed 16 of 23 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns

Once Kendall Hunter made it 17-0 early in the second quarter, the rout was on. The Bears did not get on the board until the third quarter on a 13-yard Brandon Marshall touchdown reception.

And then they followed up with the ruling that if it was a forward pass then it was intentional grounding.

So that’s how you get intentional grounding on an offensive lineman.

Jeffery had just two catches for 15 yards before the injury.

Fantasy Impact: The guy just can’t catch a break this year. He had a slow start to the season, but was starting to catch on as a reliable No. 2 WR before the hand injury. Now we have an un-related knee injury to deal with.

He also can’t slide.

Jason Campbell: learn how to slide.

Campbell stayed on the ground after being tackled. The Bears medical personnel came onto the field to tend to him for a couple of minutes. It appeared as if it was Campbell’s shoulder was hurt but the team doesn’t have to make an announcement since he didn’t leave the game.

Fantasy Impact: Coming into this game, Davis had just 29 catches for 404 yards and four TDs. It took an Alex Smith concussion for him to finally get some meaningful targets, and so far he has delivered as Kaep’s safety valve.

The Niners QB situation suddenly got complicated with Kaep’s impressive start, so Davis’ fantasy value is in flux at the moment. But for tonight, he’s rewarding the patience of fantasy owners who didn’t bench him in frustration.

What’s going on with the Bears defense? Were they not expecting Kaepernick, who is filling in for Alex Smith?

Whatever it is, it’s quickly turning their Monday night appearance into a Monday night beat down.

Jim Harbaugh got a lot of credit when Alex Smith turned in a competent season last year. He’ll be getting even more credit for being a quarterback guru if Kaepernick keeps this up.

Kaepernick’s finest moment came late in the first quarter when he found Kyle Williams for a 57-yard gain, showing off his big arm.

The best part? It’s still halfway through the first quarter.

The Niners lead 10-0 early, and Kaep is the big reason why.

But of course Harbaugh isn’t conventional about anything.

With Colin Kaepernick replacing Alex Smith, the 49ers passed five times on their first drive, with Kaepernick completing four of those passes for 45 yards. Kaepernick ran the offense out of multiple formations, with two backs, an empty backfield with five wide and more. He looked efficient, had good zip on the ball and didn’t seem like he would hold the 49ers offense back. The 49ers have one of the league’s best running games so they know where their bread is buttered. Kaepernick should be used to complement the running game.

The full inactive lists are below:

Alex Smith is out. Jay Cutler is out.

Crunch all the other stats and numbers and trends you want, but this is the most critical handicapping data for the Week 11 Monday Nighter between the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.

Kaepernick took over for Smith in the second quarter last week, and went 11-for-17 for 117 yards. He also rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown. However, his task will be much more difficult this week, as he’ll face a Bears team that ranks second in the NFL in scoring defense. The 49ers have the top-ranked scoring defense.

Monday, Nov. 19th, 8:30 p.m. ET

Candlestick Park, San Francisco, Calif.

Cutler’s uncertainty appears to have influenced the picks from experts around the web, as all but one of ESPN’s analysts have picked the 49ers to win, with Bears legend Mike Ditka the lone expert taking Chicago. Yahoo! Sports follows a similar model, with all three of its writers jumping on the 49ers’ bandwagon.

CBS Sports’ picks are a little more even, as five writers believe San Francisco will win, while four are going with the Bears.