In
one of the most entertaining games of the year, the Chicago Bears fell short in the final seconds to lose to the San Francisco 49ers 38-42. Here are my notes from the wild shootout.
Offense:
- The run game failed to make an impact early, which was both surprising and concerning. This turned out to be an unfortunate aspect of the game outside of a handful of runs. Wish they committed to the run more, but with Caleb playing so well and SF scoring at will, I get it.
- Speaking of Caleb, he was feasting. Despite being down Odunze and Zaccheus and DJ Moore being sick and Luther Burden III being hurt, Caleb had one of the best games of his career. He was accurate and decisive throughout. And he’s playing with some insane confidence, especially on his deep balls.
- Penalties were a huge factor all game. Nothing crazy from a yardage standpoint, but multiple tick-tack calls that ruined drives for the Bears O and extended them for the Bears D. Thought DJ was tripped late and it was not called despite calling far less egregious penalties than that all game.
- Burden III and Loveland have been as advertised this season – but they each had a brutal drop in this one on perfectly thrown balls from Caleb. Kmet had one too.
- Swift looked like the far superior RB once again in this one. Still a huge Monangai fan, but Swift is separating himself from the rook as the season winds down. Thought Swift should have been targeted early on the last play of the game too, but it all broke down so quickly that it’s hard to fault Caleb for trying to extend and make something happen.
- Overall, a very nice day at the office for the Offense and Ben Johnson. Hoping Chicago can keep that momentum into the final week of the season and into the playoffs.
Defense:
- The first play of scrimmage, where Jaylon Johnson forced an incompletion that bounced right into the hands of TJ Edwards, was one of the best plays of the season for the D. And obviously, the best start of the season.
- Unfortunately, after that, they failed to do enough.
- Tremaine Edmunds was victimized all night, most notably when in coverage on backup TE (and former Bear) Jake Tonges, but also when in coverage on Christian McCaffrey. I was hoping and expecting for more from Maine but ended up very disappointed. Even lost contain on a rush late that allowed Purdy to scramble for a TD.
- CMC had one heck of a game, both in the run and passing games. I figured he would be a huge issue in the passing game, but the way he ran all over and around the Bears was reminiscent of his younger years. Looked like a league MVP last night.
- Big Dex (Gervon Dexter Sr.) had himself a nice game and seems to be improving against the run.
- Austin Booker continues to look like he belongs in the rotation moving forward. Multiple pressures and got his hand on a couple passes at the LOS as well. Solid game.
- Sweat couldn’t seem to wrangle Purdy all night.
- Liked seeing CJGJ in coverage on CMC late in the game, but too little, too late.
- Far too much time given to Purdy in the pass game, and he picked our D apart all night. When he wasn’t, McCaffrey was dicing us up at will. Hopefully, Dennis Allen has his guys ready for the playoffs, where we very well might see the 49ers again.
Special Teams:
- Good day at the office for Tory Taylor. Aside from one big punt that took a bad bounce, he was helping the field position battle.
- Mostly good coverage teams as well all day.
- Huge Josh Blackwell fan. But if you have been reading these recaps all season, you know I am not high on him as a kick returner. He showed me why again last night. A bit undersized, doesn’t break tackles and not as explosive or decisive back there.
- Jaylon Jones with a huge hit on punt coverage was nice to see. Haven’t seen him make a play in a while.
