Making the grade: Assessing Bears' players, coaches in loss to 49ers
QUARTERBACK — D
Caleb Williams (17-for-23, 134 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 116.9 rating) was only able to rise above the muck of a putrid offense after the Bears had fallen behind 24-0. He was sacked seven times, including four times on third down in the first half. Williams rallied the Bears with a touchdown drive to start the second half to provide momentary hope, but his fumble under pressure — losing the ball when he pulled it back after the 49ers sniffed out the play — pretty much ended that.
OFFENSIVE LINE — F
It’s past the point of blaming the lack of continuity. The combination of Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Matt Pryor and Darnell Wright was starting for the eighth time this season and for the third consecutive game. Jones and Shelton were beaten for sacks, but this was a team effort. The Bears rushed four times for seven yards in the first half.
LINEBACKERS — F
T.J. Edwards (10 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, one pass breakup) came to play, but the linebackers share plenty of the blame for this debacle. The Bears looked as though they had no idea tight end George Kittle was a receiving threat, as he was left open several times. Kittle had five receptions for 138 yards in the first half and finished with six catches for 151 yards. Jack Sanborn was caught behind running back Isaac Guerendo on a deep ball for a 31-yard gain that set up Guerendo’s one-yard touchdown run that gave the 49ers a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
SECONDARY — D
What had been the strength of the Bears’ defense was a glaring weakness, as 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had a field day. Jaylon Johnson was beaten by Deebo Samuel for a 20-yard gain in the first quarter. Slot cornerback Kyler Gordon was beaten on Jauan Jennings’ nifty 15-yard touchdown catch.
COACHING — D
Thomas Brown was put in a tough spot in his first week as interim coach, but the Bears didn’t exactly rally around him: They were outgained 319-4 in the first half and fell behind 24-0. Brown at least took Williams out of the game with 1:58 left. Coordinator Eric Washington’s defense was the bigger disappointment, setting a bad tone by allowing the 49ers to drive 70 yards in five plays for a touchdown on the first drive of the game.