After an exciting come-from-behind victory over the divisional rival Green Bay Packers on prime time, the Bears went to the Bay Area to face the San Francisco 49ers, the site of this year's Super Bowl, in another prime time showdown.
Many games this late in the season are hit-or-miss. However, the national audience was treated to an exciting shootout, which the Bears lost 42-38. The game came down to the final play, with the Bears having the ball and a chance to pull off another fourth quarter comeback win, just as they had done so many times this season.
Loss to the 49ers exposed their weakness at the worst possible time
While the game entertained many fans and took positives from it despite the loss, the 49ers' offense tore through the Bears' defense and exposed every lingering flaw that had been hiding beneath the surface.
A tipped Brock Purdy pass caused by Jaylon Johnson was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by linebacker T.J. Edwards on the first play of the game. But the Bears' defense was no match against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers the rest of the night. Purdy bounced back from the interception by carving Chicago up with ease, finishing with 303 passing yards, three touchdowns, and another two scores on the ground.
The 49ers were also without All-Pro tight end George Kittle, but ex-Bear Jake Tonges had seven catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, all-purpose back Christian McCaffrey was unstoppable as he had 181 total scrimmage yards(140 rushing yards, 41 receiving yards). The Bears’ tackling was inconsistent, their gap discipline evaporated, and both linebackers, Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, looked slow and were repeatedly caught out of position all night.
Meanwhile, the pass rush was nonexistent again. Defensive end Austin Booker had a couple of batted passes and was the only player to record a sack. Purdy operated from a clean pocket, extended plays, escaped pressure, and punished the Bears for every missed assignment all night. Even when 49ers left tackle Trent Williams briefly exited after the first play of the game, the Bears were unable to take advantage of it.
A week before against Green Bay, backup quarterback Malik Willis came in to replace Jordan Love, who left the game with a concussion, and his mobility gave the Bears' defense trouble before they blew a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter and eventually lost in overtime. The defense has given up 392 rushing yards and 880 total yards in the last two games.
The offense did its part, scoring 38 points in a tough road environment. That should be more than enough to win the football game.
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And yet, they didn't, which should scare many Bears fans. What happened in Week 17 could be a blueprint for many teams to beat the Bears in the playoffs. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen needs to find a solution in a hurry. Otherwise, their first postseason in five years could be a short one.