THE NFL TITLE GAMES / TWO VIEWS : Despite Two Losses to 49ers, Some Rams Are Picking Bears

The Rams had little trouble with the Chicago Bears last fall, scoring a 29-13 victory, and they had nothing but trouble with the San Francisco 49ers, losing, 33-0, and, 19-16.

But scores and results apparently make no more an impression than bruises and broken bones. A short survey of Ram players and coaches this week turned up some who are leaning toward the underdog Bears in Sunday’s NFC title game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

“I like the Bears in an upset,” nose tackle Greg Meisner said. “I think they’re on a roll right now, especially with their defense.

“The way to beat San Francisco is to get pressure on (quarterback Joe) Montana. (The Bears) send everybody and their grandmother to blitz. I like that and I think they’re gonna come up with the big plays . . . “

In their 23-19 victory at Washington last Sunday, the Bears sacked quarterback Joe Theismann seven times, intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles.

Meisner said: “The last two games, when we played the 49ers and New York played ‘em, they played good the first quarter but I don’t think they were happy with the way they played the last three quarters.”

Meisner recalled that Bear quarterback Steve Fuller was effective against the Rams in his first start after replacing the injured Jim McMahon.

“Montana will scramble a little more, but Fuller isn’t afraid to run up the middle,” Meisner said. “His speed is pretty deceptive.”

Meisner rated the Bears’ running game ahead of the 49ers’. “It seemed like (Walter) Payton was running pretty hard at Washington, and I don’t think this week will be any different,” he said. “I like Chicago’s running attack, and the way Chicago gets penetration on their defensive line, they’ll mess up the 49ers’ running game.”

Eric Dickerson said he thought San Francisco would win. “They have a good offense and a good defense,” he said. “The Bears have a good defense. Their offense is not that hot.

“San Francisco, you shut down their passing attack, they can still run the ball. You shut down their running, they can still throw.”

For the Bears to win, they will have to get Montana out of the game, Dickerson said. “I don’t say hurt him, but shake him up to where he can’t play anymore.”

Jim Collins, Ram inside linebacker who has been voted onto some All-Pro teams, said: “ ‘Frisco has the more powerful offense, but it’s a matter of how much pressure the Bears can put on Montana to take them out of their game.

“I think it’s gonna be a close game. The spread is what, 10 points? I wouldn’t be shocked if the Bears knocked ‘em off.

“Offensively, there isn’t much comparison between the teams. ‘Frisco, with Montana, can do so many more things. Chicago, with Fuller, doesn’t have the high powered offense.

“Payton is a better runner than anybody the 49ers have, but with the 49ers, you’re so worried about the passing game that it opens up their running game. That might make the 49ers’ running game even a little more effective. With the Bears, your key is to stop Walter Payton.

“I can’t really pick against the 49ers, but the Bears’ defense is going to make it a real interesting game.”

Tight end David Hill raised the point that the Bears might have more trouble handling the 49ers’ smaller offensive line than they did Washington’s oversized Hogs.

“Chicago, you’d have to give them a point for overall strength on defense,” Hill said. “But San Francisco’s offensive line is a little smaller than Washington’s and they’re able to move around, so they may not have as much difficulty as the Washington line did. (Redskin tackle Joe) Jacoby and those guys are real big and (Bear end Jim) Dent and the others just ran around them.

“When your guys are spread out and the other guys are running quick stunts, it’s very difficult when you have a large offensive line.”

Hill expects the Bears to control the ball their share of the time.

“Chicago has always been able to run the ball,” Hill said. “They won’t be able to dominate the game running the ball, but they’ll be able to run it.”

Hill’s prediction: “Right after the game against Washington I thought Chicago would (win). Physical teams usually play well against San Francisco. I think I’ll have to stick with Chicago.”

Bruce Snyder, who coaches the Rams’ running backs, was impressed by Chicago’s intensity on defense. “Man, they do a great job of selling their players to go jump on the man with the ball,” he said.

Snyder believes it would help the 49ers to be equally impressed.