SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers, desperate for a turnaround after suffering three consecutive losses, including two heavy beatings, encountered the right opportunity against the Chicago Bears. This match allowed them to rejuvenate their season.
Brock Purdy displayed his skills by skillfully dismantling the Bears’ defense, guiding San Francisco to a remarkable offensive performance, recording their highest score this season in a dominating 38-13 victory. This display mirrored the potential of a team that competed in the Super Bowl last year, contrasting sharply with their struggles seen throughout the 2024 season.
Purdy emphasized the importance of regaining energy and momentum, stating, “This league is hard. It’s tough. If you don’t have momentum or energy and belief within a building, it can be really tough.” However, despite this victory, the challenge remains for San Francisco (6-7) as their playoff aspirations appear bleak. They currently sit two games behind the playoff spots with just four games left in the season. The three losses in the fourth quarter, along with the resounding defeats to Green Bay and Buffalo in the prior weeks, complicate their path. To stand a chance of reaching the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, they may need to win all remaining games, alongside some favorable outcomes in other matches since their division record weakens their tiebreaker potential within the densely packed NFC West.
Tight end George Kittle acknowledged the significance of focused effort, mentioning, “If we win every single game, I think we’ve put ourselves in a very good position to either win the division or somehow sneak our way into playoff contention. … Forget the whole season, flush all that and just focus on this one game.”
The 49ers excelled in producing big plays against the Bears, showcasing one of the most effective passing games they’ve displayed this season. Purdy completed eight passes, each gaining at least 20 yards, equal to the highest achievement for the team in such situations since 1991. Kittle was particularly impactful, catching four of those passes, while teammates Isaac Guerendo, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings contributed significantly as well.
Nevertheless, there are areas for improvement, particularly in kickoffs. Jake Moody attempted two kicks that aimed for direct placement but failed to reach their intended destination, giving the Bears favorable starting positions on both occasions.
Highlighting individual performances, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos greatly enhanced the team’s pass rush, recording a career-high three sacks in this match, a substantial increase as he had entered the game with only one sack this season. Conversely, safety Ji’Ayir Brown saw his status diminish with the return of Talanoa Hufanga from injury, playing a limited role with only 15 defensive snaps and conceding a touchdown pass.
In terms of injuries, Guerendo is coping with a sprained foot and will undergo evaluations later this week. Offensive lineman Ben Bartch may be placed on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain sustained during the game. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw might make his return this week after recovering from an Achilles tendon tear he suffered in the Super Bowl. The conditions of Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and Trent Williams (ankle) are under review, though there is currently no specified timeline for their return. On a positive note, guard Aaron Banks has cleared concussion protocols and is expected to participate in the upcoming game.
The 49ers recorded an impressive 305-yard advantage over the Bears in the first half, one of the top nine performances in that timeframe since at least 1991. Furthermore, the 319 yards achieved in the first half marked the highest for any team this season, while allowing just four yards to the Bears was a remarkable defensive feat.
Looking ahead, the 49ers are set to face the Los Angeles Rams at home on Thursday night, an important match that could shape their quest for the playoffs.
