WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
The firing of Matt Eberflus isn’t anticipated to alter a lot on offense. Brown himself will likely be making the most important adjustment — calling performs from the sideline as the top coach as a substitute of the coach’s field because the offensive coordinator.
Although this sport appeared daunting initially, the 49ers’ protection, whereas fifth within the NFL in yards allowed, is twenty fourth in factors allowed — down from third final season. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) has been out all 12 months. All-Professional defensive finish Nick Bosa (hip, indirect) has missed the final two video games. Defensive deal with Javon Hargrave (triceps) suffered a season-ending damage in Week 3. Security Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) is simply returning to apply whereas on injured reserve.
The Bears’ offense, which has averaged 363 yards in three video games with Brown calling the performs after averaging 230 yards in three video games following the bye underneath Waldron, has a chance to proceed its roll towards a 49ers protection that has allowed 38 factors (towards the Packers) and 35 factors (towards the Payments) in its final two video games.
Whether or not Bosa performs or not, the important thing matchup would be the 49ers’ defensive entrance towards a Bears’ offensive line and safety scheme that faltered towards the Lions final week. Proper deal with Darnell Wright, who missed the final 30 snaps towards the Lions with a knee damage — 4 of Williams’ 5 sacks got here after he left — is predicted to return towards the 49ers.
WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL
The firing of Matt Eberflus promoted Eric Washington to the play-calling function because the Bears’ defensive coordinator, and he’ll get a problem straight away towards a Kyle Shanahan offense that may be a load at full power however nonetheless succesful regardless of a number of accidents.
“You see all of the signatures of a Kyle Shanahan-led offense,” stated Washington, who has not referred to as performs for the reason that 2018 season with the Panthers. “Actually, actually intent on operating the soccer when they’re at their finest.”
That’s a key distinction, as a result of the 49ers is not going to be at their finest. Working backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason are on injured reserve. That figures to be a break for a Bears’ run protection that has been a disappointment all season, however specific after the bye.
The Bears have allowed a median of 158.2 speeding yards of their six post-bye video games (thirtieth within the NFL in that span) after permitting a median of 112.0 yards of their first six video games (tenth within the NFL).
The important thing matchup would be the Bears’ defensive entrance stopping the run towards a 49ers offensive line that could possibly be lacking All-Professional left deal with Trent Williams.
With all their accidents, the 49ers have dropped from third to sixteenth in scoring since final season. However even banged up, they’ll produce towards weak defenses. That’s a litmus take a look at for a Bears protection that has had two personalities this season. That was by no means extra evident that towards the Lions, when the Bears allowed 357 yards (6.6 per play) within the first three quarters and 48 (4.4 per play) within the fourth quarter to offer the Bears an opportunity to win after falling behind 23-7.
