Meanwhile, it’s amazing how much one club can rebound from a calamity caused by injuries and inconsistency, even if they were once considered Super Bowl candidates.
The 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 38-13 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, putting together their most complete performance of the season. Stopping a two-game losing streak, on the other hand, would rekindle the faintest glimmer of postseason hope.
49ers Return to Winning Ways, Outshining Bears 38-13
In his performance on Monday Night, Brock Purdy showed exactly what it means to master the craft, with 325 passing yards and two beautiful throws. Purdy was an easy 20 of 25 attempts, all with no interception, proving what long-awaited poise and precision-49ers fans had been waiting for all season long.
Then again, George Kittle was unforgettable with 151 yards receiving, while etching into history by becoming only the third tight end ever to be 500 receptions strong and 7,000 yards receiving. That said, Jauan Jennings also turned out big with two touchdowns, two other catches, and 90 receiving yards.
Given the injuries of McCaffrey and Mason, who are on injured reserve, rookie running back Isaac Guerendo had stepped up in the backfield. Guerendo rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns, as well as added 50 receiving yards, all enough to prove he could take the pressure of carrying a backfield.
The 49ers drove on their opponents hard in the first half, leading all the way to a 24-0 score, while they managed to keep the Bears to a total of only four yards during that entire half. This defensive onslaught by the 49ers appeared as part of their Super Bowl run last season. It was complemented by a fierce pass rush that recorded seven sacks, including a stunning three-sack performance by offseason acquisition Yetur Gross-Matos.
It was just another disappointing day in the life of the Bears. Caleb Williams tossed for 134 yards on 17 of 23 attempts and threw two touchdowns, but the offensive ineptitude was evident, especially during the early action of the first half.
It was quite an initiation for interim head coach Thomas Brown after the firing of Matt Eberflus on November 29. Despite all that change in leadership, the Bears’ losing streak now stretches to seven, dropping their season record to 4-9.
Game notes included Ben Bartch’s early exit due to an ankle injury and a reminder of Kittle’s historical milestone. This resounding victory has given the 49ers a glimmer of hope as they prepare for the Rams, but consistency will be key in their fight to salvage the season.
The 49ers, now 6-7, remain two games behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (8-5). With a crucial divisional game against the Los Angeles Rams (7-6) on December 12, the 49ers must sustain this momentum to keep their playoff hopes alive.
