Week 8 Game Recap: San Francisco 49ers 10, Chicago Bears 41

What you need to know

San Francisco 49ers

After a terrible start, the 49ers never really had a chance in this game. The Bears returned the opening kickoff to their own 34 yard line, and then marched 41 yards down the field in five plays. Two Rex Grossman passes fell incomplete and the Bears had to settle for a 43 yard Robbie Gould field goal. Maurice Hicks fumbled the following kickoff and three Thomas Jones runs later, San Francisco trailed 10-0. The 49ers’ troubles would continue. San Francisco would run a total of seven plays in their first four possessions, turning the football over three times in the process. The next two possessions were three and outs and resulted in a total of two yards. Possession number seven resulted in a fumble. In eight first half possessions the 49ers achieved two first downs and a total of 88 yards. Their four first half turnovers led to 28 Chicago points. At halftime, the 49ers trailed 41-0 and their chances were effectively finished.

Frank Gore was one of the few positives for the 49ers. Gore rushed for 111 yard in only 12 attempts. 53 of those yards came on a long run where Gore broke a couple of tackles. Gore almost took the run for a touchdown, but was caught at the Chicago nine yard line.

Alex Smith threw the ball well. Most of Smith’s passes were crisp and on target. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown. However, Smith committed three of the five San Francisco turnovers. Smith lost one fumble after scrambling for a three yard gain and another when he was sacked. The interception came on a play where Brian Urlacher batted a pass into the air and then was able to corral it.

San Francisco’s ten points were the first points the 49ers have scored on the road since week one.

Chicago Bears

The Bears started this game off with five straight plays that all gained at least seven yards before two Rex Grossman incompletions stalled the drive and Robbie Gould would hit the first of his two field goals. Maurice Hicks fumbled the subsequent kickoff and three Thomas Jones runs later, Chicago had a 10-0 lead and would never look back. The Bears turned four first half 49er turnovers into 28 points and took a 41-0 lead into halftime. The Bears’ 24 first quarter points were a team record and their 41 points at halftime tied a franchise record.

After a disastrous six turnover game against Arizona, Rex Grossman was sharp in this game. Grossman missed on only four of his 22 first half pass attempts and finished 23 of 29 for 252 yards and three touchdowns.

Thomas Jones rushed for 111 yards and scored his third touchdown of the season. Cedric Benson also scored a touchdown on a one yard plunge, but gained only 26 yards on his eight carries. Benson had consecutive runs of 11 and six yards, but otherwise gained no more than three yards in any run. Jones looked to be the quicker of the two backs.

Desmond Clark had his best game as a Bear. Clark led Chicago with six receptions for 86 yards and had two touchdowns.

The Bears limited San Francisco to 88 first half yards, held them under 23 minutes in time of possession, and forced five turnovers. Chicago is 7-0 for the first time since the 1985 championship team started the season 12-0.

Chicago entered the game having given up the fewest points after seven games than any team since 1970. The Bears’ defense has given up ten points or fewer in their last ten regular season home games.

What you ought to know

QB Alex Smith, Pass: 16 - 26 - 146 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 5 - 23 - 0

Smith never really had a chance in this game. The 49ers trailed 10-0 before he ever took a snap. His first two passes gained zero yards. His third attempt was batted in the air and intercepted. On the 49ers’ next offensive play, Smith was forced to scramble and fumbled after a three yard gain. On Smith’s next pass play, he was sacked and the 49ers were forced to punt. San Francisco would manage only 31 yards on their first six possessions.

Despite the 49ers’ difficulties, Smith hung tough. He was under pressure throughout the game, but still completed 16 of his 26 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Smith’s passes were crisp and generally right on the money. Smith’s two lost fumbles hurt, but were hardly the reason the 49ers lost.

RB Frank Gore, Rush: 12 - 111 - 0, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (5 targets)

Gore entered the game as one of only four players who leads his teams in both rushing and receptions. Gore was given only 12 rushing attempts, but still gained 111 yards. His play was one of the few positives for San Francisco. Gore had a 53 yard run. He broke two tackles on the play and almost made it to the end zone, but was caught at the Chicago nine yard line. Gore also had an 18 yard run early in the game.

Gore had receptions of three and six yards. He fumbled the ball when he was tackled after the second reception, but a hustling Justin Smiley was able to retain possession for San Francisco. Gore lost a 24 yard catch after he was called for illegal touching. Apparently, Gore had gone out of bounds prior to making the catch.

RB Michael Robinson, Rush: 1 - -4 - 0, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (3 targets)

Robinson had one rushing attempt for a loss of four yards. Robinson was swarmed in the backfield and had no chance on the play. He fought hard and avoided losing more yards. It took a gang tackle to bring him down.

Robinson had two receptions for seven yards. He dropped the other pass thrown to him.

RB Maurice Hicks

Hicks was not involved in the regular offense. His fumble on the kickoff return cost San Francisco its first possession and put the team in a quick 10-0 hole.

WR Antonio Bryant, Rec: 5 - 58 - 1 (9 targets)

Bryant was San Francisco’s most targeted wide receiver and led the team in receiving yards and receptions. He scored the 49ers only touchdown on a 16 yard post pattern in the fourth quarter. Trailing 34-0 in the second quarter, San Francisco attempted a fourth down and six play from the Chicago 44 yard line. Alex Smith hit Bryant with a perfect pass across the middle. However, Bryant struggled to hang on to the ball. He was credited with a 16 yard reception and a fumble. Ricky Manning, Jr. was credited with a fumble recovery on the play, but the football never hit the ground and probably should have been called an interception instead. Bryant could have had another nice reception. He dove for the ball and had it in his hands, but could not hold on.

WR Arnaz Battle, Rec: 4 - 32 - 0 (6 targets)

Battle had four receptions for 32 yards. His 19 yard reception was a pretty over the shoulder diving catch. Battle lost an 11 yard reception, when he was called for offensive pass interference. Battle fought hard for yardage after the catch and once almost turned a short pass into a nine yard first down. It took three Bears to bring him down. He was stopped a yard short, however. Battle’s first reception could have been credited as a lateral.

WR Bryan Gilmore (1 targets)

Gilmore was targeted once unsuccessfully deep down the sideline. He caught the ball, but was out of bounds.

TE Eric Johnson, Rec: 3 - 40 - 0 (3 targets)

Johnson caught all three passes thrown his way. His receptions went for three, 25, and 12 yards.

PK Joe Nedney 1 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points

Nedney was perfect on the day. He hit a short 23 yard field goal and his only extra point try.

SF Rush Defense

The 49ers’ run defense gave up 145 yards rushing on 45 attempts, a 4.1 yard average. Thomas Jones rushed for 111 yards with a 4.8 yard average. Chicago scored two rushing touchdowns.

SF Pass Defense

The 49ers’ pass defense did not have a good game. Chicago netted 257 yards through the air. Rex Grossman was in a rhythm throughout the game. Grossman completed 79 percent of his passes and threw for three touchdowns. The 49ers did not get much of a pass rush and had only one sack (split by Anthony Adams and Brandon Moore).

QB Rex Grossman, Pass: 23 - 29 - 252 - 3 TD / 0 INT

Grossman was miserable in the Bears’ last game in Arizona. Against the Cardinals, he threw four interceptions and lost two fumbles. His fortune against the 49ers was much better. Grossman’s passes were sharp throughout the game. He led the Bears to a 41-0 halftime lead by completing 18 of his 22 first half attempts for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Grossman threw only seven times in the second half and completed five of the passes for 50 yards. With the game secured, he was relieved by Brian Griese.

Grossman was credited with a fumble on a botched snap, but was able to recover the football and throw it away. Grossman made one or two questionable decision in the game, but was able to escape without a turnover.

QB Brian Griese, Pass: 2 - 3 - 11 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0

Griese relieved Rex Grossman to start Chicago’s first drive of the fourth quarter. He had only three pass attempts. Griese’s first pass came up short. He completed the next two for 11 yards. Griese was credited with two rushes for minus two yards on two kneel-down plays at the end of the game.

RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 23 - 111 - 1, Rec: 4 - 23 - 0 (5 targets)

Jones found plenty of running room in this game and gained a season high 111 yards. Jones got off to a great start, gaining 53 yards in his first eight carries, including a seven yard touchdown run. On that particular play, Jones looked for a hole off of right guard, then slid to the left and still found nothing, before finally reversing all the way back around the right end for an easy touchdown. Jones could have had an even bigger game; he was stopped short of the end zone on a fourth and goal play late in the third quarter. Plus, he not lost carries to the less effective Cedric Benson. However, giving up some carries may be better for his health in the long run.

Jones added four catches for 23 yards.

RB Cedric Benson, Rush: 8 - 26 - 1, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (1 targets)

Benson had eight rushes for 26 yards. He had consecutive runs for 11 and six yards, plus a one yard touchdown plunge, but gained only 8 yards on his other five carries. Except for his two best runs, Benson did not look as quick as Thomas Jones.

Benson caught a three yard pass from Brian Griese late in the game.

RB Jason McKie, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0, Rec: 3 - 37 - 0 (3 targets)

McKie, the Bears’ fullback had one rushing attempt for no gain. He caught all three of his targeted passes for 37 yards. McKie’s 26 yard reception late in the first half was a key play. Prior to the play, The Bears were sort of half-heartedly moving down the field likely to run out the half. On the play, however, McKie took a swing pass down the right sideline. He made Shawntae Spencer miss and then rumbled for 26 yards before finally being stopped at the 49ers’ 27 yard line with 26 seconds remaining in the half. On the next play, Rex Grossman hit Desmond Clark for a touchdown.

RB Adrian Peterson, Rush: 1 - 10 - 0, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets)

Peterson had one ten yard run during garbage time. He also had an eight yard reception on a screen pass from Brian Griese.

WR Bernard Berrian, Rec: 5 - 41 - 0 (6 targets)

Berrian had five receptions for 41 yards. His long gain was a 15 yard catch on his only target of the second half. Berrian fumbled a ball, but it fell harmlessly out of bounds.

WR Muhsin Muhammad, Rec: 5 - 65 - 1 (6 targets)

Muhammad led Chicago receivers with five receptions for 65 yards. Muhammad had catches of 19 and 27 yards. Rex Grossman hit him in the back of the end zone for a five yard touchdown pass. The ball was underthrown, but Muhammad was able to reel it in. Muhammad now has ten career touchdowns against the 49ers. Muhammad’s most impressive catch went for an eight yard gain on a low Grossman throw. Muhammad was able to get his hands under the ball and secure the reception. With the Bears holding a big lead, Muhammad was not targeted in the second half.

WR Rashied Davis (1 targets)

Davis returned three kicks for a 24.3 yard average. He was targeted once unsuccessfully late in the game.

TE Desmond Clark, Rec: 6 - 86 - 2 (9 targets)

Clark was Rex Grossman’s favorite target and had his best game as a Bear. His six receptions led Chicago pass catchers. Grossman found him wide open for an easy touchdown toss from the one yard line. Grossman later hit him for a 27 yard touchdown to give the Bears a 41-0 lead late in the first half. Clark had a 12 yard reception and was stopped just short of the goal line on the play. The catch set up Cedric Benson’s touchdown run.

TE John Gilmore (1 targets)

Gilmore was targeted once without a reception.

TE Gabe Reid (1 targets)

Reid was targeted in the end zone, but the pass was incomplete.

PK Robbie Gould 2 - 2 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 11 points

Gould hit field goals of 43 and 36 yards. He also hit all five of his extra point tries. Gould remains untarnished on the season and continues to lead the league in scoring.

CHI Rush Defense

The Chicago run defense gave up 130 yards on only 18 attempts for a 7.2 yard average. However, nearly 100 of those yards came after halftime, when the game had already been decided. Still, Frank Gore was able to reel off a 53 yard gain and totaled 111 yards on only twelve attempts.

Defensive tackle, Tank Johnson went to the locker room in the fourth quarter with an injury.

CHI Pass Defense

Although they had only two sacks, the Bears’ defense put pressure on Alex Smith frequently throughout the game. The Bears forced four turnovers in San Francisco’s first seven possessions and never allowed the 49ers to get into the game. The four turnovers resulted in 28 Chicago points.

Brian Urlacher was responsible for the only interception of the game. On the play, Urlacher batted the ball up and then plucked it from the air. Lance Briggs forced an Alex Smith fumble after Smith had scrambled for a small gain. Tommie Harris recovered the football and lumbered 17 yards to the San Francisco 13 yard line. Mark Anderson sacked Smith late in the game and forced another fumble. Ricky Manning, Jr. was also credited with a fumble recovery, though the play could just have easily have been ruled an interception.