There is no doubt the return of rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will help the Chicago Bears’ offense on Monday night.

But against a very stingy San Francisco 49ers pass defense it could be tough for backup quarterback Jason Campbell to find any open receivers.

The 49ers’ defense allow the least amount of points per game (14.1), the third least total yards per game (292.1) and the fifth least passing yards per game (196.8).

The Bears’ offense ranks 30th in league with an average of 189.8 yards passing per game.

They rank ahead of only the Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears’ offense hasn’t been consistent at all as of late, but one player has all season long and that is wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

He has 67 catches for 904 yards and seven touchdowns through nine games this season.

If he reaches 1,000 receiving yards on the season, which he could this week, he will become the first Bears receiver since Marty Booker (2001) to accomplish that feat.

Jeffery returns after suffering a fractured right hand in a Week Five win over the Jaguars. He had 14 catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns through five games. The rookie South Carolina product gives the Bears’ offense another threat besides Marshall or Forte in the passing game.

Plus Jeffery gives the Bears’ offense a target in the middle of the field. Rookie tight end Evan Rodriguez will likely see increased snaps on offense, with Kellen Davis struggling over the past few weeks.

Devin Hester and Earl Bennett each average just under 26 yards per game, so Jeffery returning can only help Campbell and Co. on Monday night.

It will certainly be tough considering the 49ers have two rock solid cornerbacks in Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown. Neither cornerback has an interception on the season, but they have been keeping receivers in check all season long.

Second-year cornerback Chris Culliver leads the 49ers in interceptions with two. He spent his college years at South Carolina, so don’t be surprised to see him matching up with Jeffery for a good portion of the game.

Considering that Jason Campbell is more of a conservative type of a quarterback that could actually help the Bears on Monday night.

They way to beat the 49ers is to play smart offense starting with a solid running game and some play action passing.

The runs will come, but it could take time against a tough run defense. The St. Louis Rams tied the 49ers a week ago why can’t the Bears hang with them?

Jason Campbell will certainly have his hands full in his first start under center for the Bears.

Keep your eyes on the 49ers secondary on Monday night. They’ll be all over the Bears receivers.

It should be a fun one to watch.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.