SANTA CLARA — The visiting Chicago Bears outlasted the 49ers, 14-9, for the victory Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. Here are five observations.
The Bears won at their own game
This Bears team has many of the hallmarks of their all-time great ones. They control the line of scrimmage, use their offensive playmakers with creative run packages, overwhelm defensively, and, as we saw Sunday, control the clock.
Chicago had the ball for 35:30, exactly 11 minutes more than San Francisco. The Bears made each of the 49ers’ second-half possessions count. The 49ers, leading by two entering halftime, punted away their first second-half possession. They did not get the ball back for another eight minutes. That ensuing drive, too, was short-lived, resulting in a punt after four plays.
When the 49ers received the ball for the third time, after forcing a stop, it felt like it may be their last good chance to score. What ensued was San Francisco’s best offensive possession of the second half, but it went awry when Marquise Goodwin bobbled a catchable pass, ending in an interception.
The 49ers, still, had 7:43 remaining to force a stop. The Bears converted three consecutive third downs to milk the clock. But the 49ers found life— in the most unlikely way — with fewer than two minutes left.
On third-and-8, Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky connected with receiver Allen Robinson for the first down. If he slid to the ground, he would have ended the game. But he continued to run, and rookie Tarvarius Moore, in his first NFL start at cornerback, tracked down Robinson and punched the ball free. 49ers cornerback Greg Mabin recovered, giving them their second turnover of the day and just their seventh all season.
The 49ers had one more offensive possession, but it fell flat after one first down. Nick Mullens, facing fourth-and-four, rolled out to his right. He had plenty of room to make the first down with his legs, but he instead rifled a pass deep to Goodwin — out of bounds. It effectively ended the game.
The 49ers had their chances, but they didn’t make the plays where it counted (0-3 in the red-zone) and when it mattered.
The 49ers defense is showing encouraging signs
This Bears offense isn’t one of the league’s most prolific units in terms of yardage, but it does what it does well. They run, control the clock, and hit you with big plays at timely moments.
The Bears connected on two explosive plays, of 43 and 26 yards, Sunday, but that was it. The 49ers have steadily improved at limiting big plays as the season has progressed. They made the Bears earn their yardage Sunday.
And finally, the 49ers forced a turnover — for the first time since Oct. 28.
The first: K’Waun Williams stripped Bears running back Tarik Cohen and recovered in the second quarter. That led to a 49ers field goal. The second: Moore popped the ball loose from Robinson to give the 49ers one more offensive possession to close the game.
There were signs of growing pains among this young 49ers defense, particularly in allowing easy completions on third downs. Trubisky produced an ultra-efficient 25-29 for 246 yards and a touchdown.
But this 49ers defense is seemingly improving with each passing game. On Sunday, they allowed just 14 points, which should have been good enough to win.
Mullens’ costly mistake clouds solid performance
This was undoubtedly Mullens’ biggest test in his seven career NFL starts. The Bears entered Sunday as the No. 3 scoring defense and the No. 1 unit in takeaways.
Mullens’ solid numbers (22-38 with 241 yards and an interception) reflected his steady performance. But his late decision, on fourth-and-four in the fourth quarter, to go for the big gain rather than gaining the first down with his legs, sourly capped his day.
Mullens led the 49ers offense into Bears territory three times in the first half, all of which resulted in field goals. You would have liked to see the 49ers convert at least once in the red zone. But Mullens ran the offense smoothly and efficiently, including during the two-minute drill to close the half.
The Bears’ vaunted front-seven had its way with the 49ers’ offensive line in the second half. Mullens faced consistent pressure. He seemed to make the correct decision in most situations, either taking sacks, throwing the ball away, or stepping up and making tough throws, particularly in the fourth quarter.
His lone turnover was not his fault. Mullens intended a pass for Goodwin over the middle, but he bobbled a ball that was catchable, and the Bears picked it off. It was a deflating way to cap an otherwise impressive drive in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, Sunday was more affirmation that Mullens can play against the league’s best defenses.
49ers suffer injuries to top playmakers
Three offensive contributors exited the game due to injury in the first half, including Matt Breida (ankle), Dante Pettis (knee), and Garrett Celek (head). None of them returned.
Breida hurt his ankle, the same one that has hindered him throughout the season, midway through the first quarter. Contrary to several other times this season, Breida did not return, casting his status for the season finale next Sunday in jeopardy.
Pettis hurt his left knee in a similar manner to his injury in Week 4, when he went down in twisting fashion, as a defender landed on him awkwardly. A similar situation unfolded on a pass play intended for him Sunday. Pettis left the game, was examined in the blue tent, and walked gingerly to the locker room.
Celek injured his head in the second quarter. He will likely enter the concussion protocol.
Robbie Gould shines against former team, again
Whenever Robbie Gould plays Chicago, his former team of 11 years, he carries the 49ers. Last year, in Week 15, he kicked five field goals to lead the 49ers to a 15-14 win at Chicago. On Sunday, he connected on all three of his field goal attempts. He was San Francisco’s only source of points, once again.
But really, Gould has been this good throughout his 31-game tenure with the 49ers. He has missed just three of his 73 field goal attempts. He has won the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award four times in two years.
For all the 49ers’ inconsistencies, Gould has been the team’s most reliable player — and source of points.