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The Bears suffered another brutal 33-22 loss to the 49ers to drop them to 3-5 on the season. We recap the game.
After an embarrassing 35-point loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Chicago Bears couldn’t figure out a way to turn things around, and they’ve now lost three straight football games.
Though things looked better under Chris Tabor, the Bears still didn’t do enough to win, losing 33-22 to the San Francisco 49ers. This loss is the fifth loss of the season for the Bears, and all five losses were by 10 or more points.
The Bears were once again humiliated, but at least Justin Fields took a step forward in his development.
The Chicago Bears are a bad football team. Never mind being owned by Aaron Rodgers or getting blown out by Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears just got embarrassed in a 33-22 loss by a San Francisco 49ers team that had lost four straight games.
Just when you think things can’t get any worse, Chicago always manages to deliver. But the good news is that the offense finally showed signs of life. Even though the defense has gotten worse with each passing week.
The lone bright spot from this loss was the play of rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who has the best game of his young career. While many will point to a late-game interception that bounced off receiver Darnell Mooney’s hands, anyone who watched Fields could see that he took a big step forward in his development.
Fields has the potential to be a truly special player in this league, and he showed why against the 49ers. Fields looked the part of a franchise quarterback, where he utilized his strengths as a passer and runner to keep Chicago in the game.
Fields completed 19-of-27 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown, as well as added 10 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground — including this sensational 22-yard scramble for a score. Fields became the first Bears quarterback to rush for 100-plus yards since Bobby Douglass in 1973.
Rookie running back Khalil Herbert also continued to shine, where he had 63 rushing yards in the first half and finished with 23 rushes for 72 yards.
While the offense has been a concern all season, it’s the defense that’s been the most concerning over the last couple of weeks. And they struggled mightily against a 49ers offense that had been struggling over the last four weeks.
Look no further than the defense’s performance in the second half, where they gave up four consecutive scoring drives, including three touchdowns and a field goal.
The Bears were up by seven points in the third quarter and had the 49ers pinned in their own end on a third-and-20. But Deebo Samuel turned a check down into a 83-yard run that set up Jimmy Garoppolo’s 1-yard touchdown run, and the momentum completely changed.
Matt Nagy or not, this is a bad Bears football team. But at least Fields took a step forward today, right?
Bears rookie Justin Fields had a big day on the ground vs. 49ers and made history in the process.
Justin Fields has relied on his legs more often than not during the Chicago Bears game against the San Francisco 49ers. His longest run of the day resulted in a Bears touchdown when he scrambled 22 yards. But with that run, he accomplished something has not been done in nearly 50 years.
Fields became the first Bears quarterback to rush for more than 100 yards since Bobby Douglass back in 1973.
Fields has rushed for 103 yards on 10 carries with the touchdown, using his legs on designed runs while also escaping pressure from the 49ers front seven. The rookie quarterback also has 175 passing yards with a touchdown through the air.
With that touchdown, @justnfields becomes the first Bears QB to rush for 100 yards in a game since Bobby Douglass in 1973. Fields currently at 103 rushing.
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 31, 2021
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Fields and the Bears are currently trailing 30-22 late in the fourth quarter against the 49ers.
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This Justin Fields touchdown run was something special.
Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields has the potential to be a real threat in the NFL, and he showed flashed of exactly why during Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
With the Bears trailing 23-16, Fields marched his team right down the field on a 9-play, 68-yard scoring drive that resulted in one of the best runs by a quarterback you’ll see today.
Facing fourth-and-1, Fields kept the ball himself and looked to be stopped short of the line of scrimmage. But Fields made several 49ers miss and wound up turning what should’ve been a loss into a 22-yard touchdown run that was just too special.
You have to see this:
.@justnfields ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? 🤯#SFvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/o9vUGJL5h5
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2021
Fields eclipsed 100 rushing yards with the score.
Unfortunately, Cairo Santos missed the extra point and Chicago still trailed by 1.
But it got worse. The Bears defense continues to struggle against the 49ers as they allowed San Francisco to easily march down the field and answer Fields’ touchdown.
Chicago trails 30-22 in the fourth quarter.
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Here are the stats from the first half of the Bears-49ers game.
The first half of the Chicago Bears’ Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers has been encouraging for the offense but so-so for the defense as Chicago leads 13-9 at halftime.
Chicago’s offense found a nice rhythm in the first half, where they’ve dominated the time of possession 19:15 to 10:45. That’s been thanks to a nice balanced attack with running back Khalil Herbert, who has 66 rushing yards in the first half, and a passing game that showed signs of progress.
Rookie quarterback Justin Fields has looked more comfortable out there, making some good completions and using his legs when he needs to, which has included five rushes for 48 yards in the first half.
While the Bears defense didn’t give up a touchdown, they’ve allowed the 49ers to move the ball with ease in the first half. They’re going to need to tighten up in the second half or else rely on their offense to score more than they have this season.
Here are the first-half stats.
Score: Bears 13, 49ers 8
Total yards: Bears 182, 49ers 204
Passing yards: Bears 71, 49ers 163
Rushing yards: Bears 111, 49ers 41
First downs: Bears 12, 49ers 8
Third downs: Bears 6-of-8, 49ers 2-of-6
Sacks allowed: Bears 1, 49ers 0
Penalties: Bears 3-20, 49ers, 3-20
Turnovers: Bears 0, 49ers 0
QB Justin Fields: 11-of-13, 82 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT, 118.6 RTG
QB Jimmy Garoppolo: 10-of-19, 163 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT, 81.7 RTG
RB Khalil Herbert: 13 CAR, 66 YDS, 5.1 AVG
RB Elijah Mitchell: 6 CAR, 38 YDS, 6.3 AVG
WR Darnell Mooney: 4 REC, 35 YDS, 0 TD
WR Deebo Samuel: 3 REC, 71 YDS, 0 TD
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Damien Williams suffered a knee injury and is questionable to return.
The Chicago Bears have already lost two players to injury through the first half of Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
After losing safety Eddie Jackson to a hamstring injury, running back Damien Williams is questionable to return to the game after suffering a knee injury.
Williams got the start for the Bears against the 49ers, although he struggled to get much going early. He had two carries for -3 yards.
But it wasn’t too big of a loss considering it opened the door for rookie running back Khalil Herbert to get more reps, and he’s dominated in this first half. Herbert has 13 carries for 66 yards (5.1 average) in the first half, and he’s continued to show why he’s earned starters carries until David Montgomery returns from a knee sprain.
Damien Williams (knee) is questionable to return.@Athletico | #SFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/KWWLxcxF1x
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2021
The Bears lead the 49ers 13-6 in the second quarter.
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The Justin Fields-Jesse James connection is back and better than ever for the Bears!
Back during training camp, Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields’ connection with tight end Jesse James was on full display. Now, it’s back during the regular season and paying dividends for Chicago in Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
The Bears offense has found some nice rhythm — shocker, I know — during their first two drives, and the tight ends were a big part of that success on Chicago’s 11-play, 74-yard scoring drive in the second quarter.
Fields found James, one of his favorite training camp targets, for a 8-yard touchdown to put the Bears ahead 10-3 in the second quarter.
Fields was 4-of-5 for 41 yards on the drive, and he completed three passes to tight ends Cole Kmet and James. Kmet has been a favorite target of Fields’ over the last couple of weeks, and that’s been the case early into Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
Great throw, great catch. 👌#SFvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/wyNF2jvfLf
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2021
While San Francisco answered that drive with points, Chicago’s defense was able to hold them to a field goal to maintain the lead.
The Bears lead the 49ers 10-6 in the second quarter.
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Bears safety Eddie Jackson suffered a hamstring injury on the first drive of the game.
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The Bears lost a key player on their first defensive series of the game as safety Eddie Jackson exited the game with an hamstring injury and has been dubbed doubtful to return.
Jackson had good coverage against 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to prevent a completion on the first drive, but he pulled up clutching his hamstring. He left for the locker room and was ruled doubtful to return.
With Jackson down, that leaves the Bears with Tashaun Gipson, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Teez Tabor and Marqui Christian at safety.
Eddie Jackson (hamstring) is doubtful to return.@Athletico | #SFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/SwkyCDqx1S
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2021
Chicago is also without star edge rusher Khalil Mack, who has been nursing a foot injury since Week 3 and is letting his ailing foot rest.
The Bears and 49ers are tied 3-3 in the first quarter.
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Bears DT Akiem Hicks good to go against the 49ers while OLB Khalil Mack is out.
The Chicago Bears have released their inactives ahead of their Week 8 game against the San Francisco 49ers, and there’s good and bad news.
Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks is active for today’s matchup against the 49ers. Hicks missed last week’s game after reaggravating his groin injury. But Chicago will have their best defensive lineman back in the lineup in a pivotal game.
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was already ruled out against the 49ers as he tries to let his injured foot heal. Mack suffered a foot injury back in Week 3, and it’s held him out of most practices ever since. Mack would suit up regardless, but it sounds like he needs some time to let his foot heal.
Here’s a look at those Bears inactive against the 49ers:
Here’s a look at the 49ers’ inactives:
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Khalil Herbert is getting into the Halloween spirit in this rocket-inspired costume.
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for some Halloween football against the San Francisco 49ers, where there are sure to be some tricks and treats along the way.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, rookie running back Khalil Herbert showed up to Soldier Field sporting an impressive Halloween costume that seems to indicate he’s in for another big game against the 49ers.
Herbert is ready for liftoff with this rocket-inspired Halloween costume that is just too cool.
.@JuiceHerbert just won Halloween. 😂 #SFvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/X8G56zBQSb
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 31, 2021
With David Montgomery still sidelined with a knee sprain, it’s going to be another heavy dose of Herbert on the ground against the 49ers. Herbert is coming off his first 100-yard rushing game against the NFL’s best run defense, and he continues to show great promise.
Since taking over for an injured Montgomery in Week 5, Herbert has rushed for 272 yards on 55 carries (4.9 average) and one touchdown. He’s added seven receptions for 48 yards. He’s been quite impressive to the point where it’s clear he’s earned the No. 2 running back spot when Montgomery eventually does return.
The Bears offense has struggled as a whole, but the run game has been the one thing they’ve been able to do well. Look for Chicago to once again establish the run to try and open up the downfield passing attack. Regardless, you’re in for a lot of Herbert.
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