CHICAGO — Here’s how the 49ers (3-4) graded in Sunday’s 33-22 win over the hosts Chicago Bears (3-5):
Pass offence: A
What started off fast with a couple drops and sluggish offense developed into the second half from every aspect. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 322 yards, the best of which came not even on a 50-yard bomb for Samuel before halftime, but an 83-yard, catch-and-run screen Samuel returned to the 1-yard line to spark Of. . Samuel’s 171 yards brought his season total to 819, the most by any 49er in seven games. The offensive line did not face Khalil Mack (passive; leg) and gave Garoppolo a clean pocket without allowing a sack. On top of it all, Brandon Ayuk made four catches (44 yards) and showed much-demanding physicality outside the line of his block and scrimmage.
Run Crime: A
Season-Changing Play: Alex Mack, Laken Tomlinson and Mike McGlinchy lead the push that sends Elijah Mitchell into the end zone. Mitchell doesn’t look like a rookie, not the way he climbs through craggy lanes and makes a second attempt en route to 137 yards (18 carries, one touchdown). Garoppolo became the first 49ers quarterback since Colin Kaepernick in 2013 to rush for two touchdowns. The offensive line, fullback Kyle Juszcic and down-field receivers made their best interceptions of the season. As Nick Bossa put it: “It wasn’t our best performance on defense but we had our back in our offense. The offensive line took it to heart. They thought they could play better this season and they showed they were there. Wat can be done.
Pass Defense: B
What started out brutally with third-down conversions developed into a clutch late-game stop. Justin Fields’ third-down sack of Samson Ebukam was just in time for his first sack on the 49ers with 4 1/2 minutes to go, and he took his adrenaline to push him through an ankle injury from Thursday’s practice. trusted. Bossa gave away two sacks and Marcel Harris had one, the equivalent of a season-high four sacks by all 49ers. Most important, the 49ers didn’t add up to their NFL-high 14 pass-interference calls. Josh Norman drew a third-down holding call, which he offset by making only the 49ers’ second interception this season, and it sealed the win with 1:12 remaining.
Run Defense :C
Fields proved so dangerous, never more so than his 22-yard touchdown run, in which he escaped from the clutches of Eric Armstead. Fields also had 16, 16 and 15 yards on the way to the 103-yard outing – the second straight game the 49ers have allowed for a 100-yard rusher after not yielding any since October 2019. Fred Warner had a team-high eight tackles. And somehow Jason survived a crushing hit from Peters’ left tackle on the touchdown run to Fields. A lot of runs are coming around the edge, and if Kyler Murray is able to play for the Cardinals next Sunday it should be decided.
Special Teams: B+
Brandon Ayuk’s 21-yard punt return to midfield was the 49ers’ longest this season, and it set up a go-forward touchdown drive. Soldier field is a notoriously difficult place to kick, and Joy Sly showed why, missing her first field-goal attempt and a point-after kick, but she scored four field goals, including a 52-yard Was who could keep him around Robbie. Gould (Waist) is not quite ready to return the injured reserve. Mitch Wishnowski didn’t punt once, but he was there for Sly, and just about there was a chore, considering he flies at 7 a.m. after attending his daughter’s overnight birth.
Coaching: A
Coming back in the second half, it showed tremendous determination to end the four-game losing streak. “Kyle was on fire with Play Calling today,” Garopolo said.