Keys To Victory: Chicago Bears Enter Final Stretch
By Usayd Koshul
3. Limit the 49ers Playmakers
The 49ers may not be an offensive juggernaut, they still have players that can make plays when needed.
Tight End George Kittle has slowly risen from being a fifth-round draft pick to being the teams top option in the passing game. Kittle has averaged 16 yards per reception and has caught 72 passes so far in 2018. He’s a savvy route runner with the ability to make defenders miss in open space and turn a short pass into a long gain.
Among other names that should concern the Bears for Sunday are running back Matt Breida, the 49ers leading rusher who averages 5.3 yards per carry. While it’s unknown as to whether or not Breida will suit up, he could play which means that he will likely be a gametime decision and be activated when the morning of the game.
Kittle and Breida are two names that the Bears will need to shutdown the entire game if they want to leave San Francisco with a victory. With Safety Eddie Jackson likely out this week due to an ankle injury, it will be up to linebackers Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan to make sure Kittle doesn’t have any big plays.
Likewise, Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks will need to play solid against the run in order to shutdown an offense that has rushed for 100 or more yards nine times this season.
In what is a down year for the 49ers offense, Kittle and Breida are two names that continue to post solid numbers and make their names known. Both will heavily test the Bears defense and will look to keep the 49ers in the game.