Final score
The 49ers lost to the Bears 14-9. They had a shot late after Tarvarius Moore punched the ball out of Allen Robinson’s hands after what appeared to be a game-clinching reception. The 49ers moved down to the Bears 45, but Nick Mullens threw a deep ball incomplete on 4th and 4. Mullens finished the game with 241 passing yards. Cassius Marsh led the way on defense with two sacks, and DeForest Buckner got his 12th sack of the season. The 49ers dropped to 4-11 with the loss.
Halftime update
The 49ers are in a close, ugly one with the Bears, leading 9-7 thanks to three field goals by Robbie Gould. Nick Mullens was 12/19 for 106 yards and Jeff Wilson picked up 26 yards after replacing Matt Breida. Cassius Marsh was the 49ers defensive star with a pair of sacks in the first half. The Bears touchdown came on a Mitchell Trubisky pass to Anthony Miller.
Injuries
It’s been a rough first half for the 49ers. Running back Matt Breida went down with an injury that took him to the blue medical tent and then the locker room. The trainers were not checking his ankle, which is a plus. That was followed by wide receiver Dante Pettis injuring his knee on a short completion. He was bent backwards and needed help walking off the field. He has since gone to the locker room.
49ers sticking with youngsters
The 49ers welcomed back K’Waun Williams from a knee injury, but they are sticking with D.J. Reed at nickel back, according to the beat writers. Reed will start at nickel back, Antone Exum will start at free safety, and Marcell Harris will start at strong safety. Additionally, D.J. Jones will get the start at defensive tackle, and Kendrick Bourne and Dante Pettis will start at wide receiver.
Inactives
49ers inactives: S Jaquiski Tartt, RB Alfred Morris, S Tyree Robinson, OL Eric Magnuson, OT Shon Coleman, DT Earl Mitchell, DL Sheldon Day
Bears inactives: QB Tyler Bray, WR Kevin White, FS Eddie Jackson, OL Rashaad Coward, WR Javon Wims, DL Nick Williams, OLB Aaron Lynch
Preview
Two more weeks of football remain for the San Francisco 49ers and those two weeks put them up against the NFC’s best. First up is the Chicago Bears, riding off what may be the best defense in the league thanks to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
That name sound familiar? It should. Fangio was once calling schemes as the 49ers defensive coordinator. After Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers “mutually parted ways” Fangio interviewed for the vacant head coaching position that later went to Jim Tomsula and then left for the Windy City. Fangio may be a hot coaching candidate for 2019 and it’s due in part to not just his ability to turn the San Francisco defense around, but also Chicago’s. This is largely in part due to the acquisition of Khalil Mack in the 2018 offseason, but regardless of talent, Fangio has shown he is among the league’s best in defensive play calling. It will be a great test for the 49ers offensive line that has had numerous improvements since 2017. This will be an afternoon game kicking off at 1:05 P.M. The game will air on FOX and you can see who gets it by looking at our broadcast map. Thom Brennaman, and Chris Spielman will be calling the game while Shannon Spake will be on the sidelines.
The 49ers managed to beat an old bully in the Seattle Seahawks, but that doesn’t crown them anything in Week 16. They have struggled with turnovers and they will need some if they want to get through the Chicago Bears. The Bears managed to embarrass the once-lethal Los Angeles Rams a few weeks back and held running back Todd Gurley to 28 rushing yards. Their line is fierce and their secondary has surprised. If the 49ers want anything they will need turnovers for field position and field goals, because scoring against this defense is a random luxury.
The Bears beat an old bully of their own, the Green Bay Packers, eliminating the latter from playoff contention. Mitchell Trubisky has had some great strides his second year in the league, but no one is ready to crown him a finished product. Hopefully the 49ers defense can find some holes in the young quarterback’s game.
For Week 16, the Bears have DB Eddie Jackson (ankle) and LB Aaron Lynch (elbow) listed as doubtful for the game.
The 49ers meanwhile will be without safety Jaquiski Tartt who they placed on injured reserve to start the weekend.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Game time: Sunday, December 23rd, 1:05 P.M. PT
TV channel: FOX
Online streaming: fuboTV, NFL Gamepass
Local Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan) | Full listings
Sports USA national radio: Bob Fitzgerald, Hank Bauer
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesús Zárate, Gabriel Sotelo)
Matchup history: 49ers lead series 34-31-1
Announcers: Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman
Enemy blog: Windy City Gridiron
Twitter: @ninersnation
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Instagram: @ninersnationsbn
Regular season schedule
Week 1: @ Minnesota Vikings — 24-16 Loss
Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions, — 30-27 Win
Week 3: @ Kansas City Chiefs, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, September 23 — 38-27 Loss
Week 4: @ Los Angeles Chargers, 1:25 p.m., CBS, Sunday, September 30 — 29-27 Loss
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 7 — 28-18 Loss
Week 6: @ Green Bay Packers, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, Monday, October 15 — 33-30 Loss
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 5:20 p.m., NBC, Sunday, October 21 — 39-10 Loss
Week 8: @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 28 — 18-15 Loss
Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders, 5:20 p.m., NFL Network, Thursday, November 1 — 34-3 Win
Week 10: vs. New York Giants, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, Monday, November 12 — 27-23 Loss
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 25 — 27-9 Loss
Week 13: @ Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 2 — 43-16 Loss
Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m., CBS, Sunday, December 9 — 20-14 Win
Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 16 — 26-23 Win
Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 23
Week 17: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 30