San Francisco 49ers: 3 Takeaways vs. Bears in Week 13

The San Francisco 49ers are 2-10 after prevailing over the Chicago Bears in Jimmy Garoppolo’s first start. Here we look at three takeaways.

The San Francisco 49ers recorded only their second win of the season and their first on the road in 2017 with a 15-14 victory over the Chicago Bears in Jimmy Garoppolo’s first start.

Kyle Shanahan’s team controlled the game on both sides of the ball for the vast majority of Sunday’s contest at Soldier Field, with the tight scoreline not indicative of the dominance they enjoyed for long periods.

Indeed, a one-point margin of defeat flattered the Bears, and this was undoubtedly one of San Francisco’s best performances of the season. Here we look at three takeaways from the win.

3. Garoppolo enjoys excellent first start

If there were any concerns over the amount of time it would take Garoppolo to adapt to starting in Shanahan’s offense, those were quickly put to bed as he produced an extremely strong display. San Francisco’s offense racked up 338 yards of total offense, with Garoppolo completing 26 of his 37 passes for 293 yards and an interception.

Playing 30 miles from his hometown, Garoppolo was decisive, accurate and demonstrated poise under pressure. The interception was far from his fault, with Kyle Fuller taking the ball away from 49ers receiver Louis Murphy.

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The new 49ers’ signal-caller displayed an excellent rapport with Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor, completing all 14 of his pass attempts to that duo, the latter’s third-down 33-yard catch-and-run marking the key play as Garoppolo led the Niners down the field from their own 7-yard line and in position for Robbie Gould to kick the game-winning field goal.

If performances like this continue, don’t expect the 49ers to hesitate in signing Garoppolo to a long-term deal.

2. Defense continues upward trend

San Francisco’s defense looked better against the Seattle Seahawks, particularly against the run as they allowed just 90 rushing yards, a statistic that had to be taken with a pinch of salt given Seattle’s sub-par ground game. But the Niners proved that performance was no fluke as the defense put the clamps on the Bears.

The #49ers limited an opponent to 8 first downs for the first time since 2010 and held #Bears to 147 net yards, the fewest they’d surrendered since 2012.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 4, 2017

Chicago was limited to eight first downs and held to 147 net yards, the fewest they have given up in a game since 2012. Running back Jordan Howard, who came into the matchup with 847 rushing yards, finished with just 38 yards on 13 carries.

The 49ers only sacked Mitchell Trubisky twice but were able to pressure him consistently and got off the field when it counted. This young unit has plenty of improvements to make but late season strides are being made.

1. Glory for Gould on mixed special teams day

Garoppolo was not the only 49er enjoying a homecoming, as kicker Gould returned to face the team with whom he spent 11 seasons with. It was a successful return for Gould, who kicked all of San Francisco’s points, converting his fifth field goal with four seconds left to propel the 49ers to victory.

Gould’s performance was the highlight of a mixed day for the 49ers’ special teams. San Francisco gave up a 61-yard punt return on which the Bears tailback spectacularly reversed field for the score, and the Niners were fortunate that a 67-yard return from the same player was called back for a penalty.

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That would have put the Bears on the San Francisco 16-yard line. Instead the Bears punted to the 49ers for their game-winning drive but, regardless of that stroke of fortune, there will be some questions asked of the punt coverage in the special teams meeting room come Monday.

Still, the day belonged to Gould, though the 49ers will hope not to need him as much in Week 14 against the Houston Texans.