Bears defense falls apart in 2nd half against 49ers

CHICAGO – The San Francisco 49ers had four possessions in the second half of Sunday’s game – not counting their kneel downs at the end – and they scored on all four in less than three minutes of game time.

Three were touchdowns and one was a field goal when they had the luxury of going conservative and eating up clock. It’s a big reason why the 49ers beat the Bears, 33-22, on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Considering that the Bears gave up only nine points in the first half, it was a colossal breakdown in the second half.

“Although we play some really good defense, we’re not perfect,” defensive tackle Akiem Hicks said. “And we’re going to have to take our lumps and get back at it.”

The Bears took plenty of lumps Sunday.

They gave up second-half touchdown drives of 75 yards, 52 yards and 75 yards again. None of them took more than seven plays and the longest drive needed only 2:58 to find the end zone.

The biggest play might’ve been an 83-yard gain from 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel. The Bears led, 16-9, and had what looked like another promising position for their defense late in the third quarter. They had the 49ers backed up to a third-and-19 at their own 16-yard line.

San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo dropped a short screen pass receiver Deebo Samuel, who broke free for an 83-yard gain. The play was initially ruled a touchdown, but later ruled that he stepped out at the 1-yard line. No matter. The 49ers scored moments later.

Even though the 49ers didn’t tie up the game because kicker Joey Slye missed the extra point, it was still a huge momentum shifter. It seemed to deflate the Bears defense more than any other moment in that game.

“That hurt,” said Chris Tabor, who was the Bears’ acting head coach with Matt Nagy sidelined by COVID-19. “That did. That was a great play by them. You get them in third-and-20 and you always think you’re going to get off the field and set yourself up for possibly a short-field situation. Didn’t happen.”

The 49ers totaled 467 yards of offense in the game with 322 through the air and another 145 on the ground. San Francisco running back Elijah Mitchell ran for 137 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Boosted by his 83-yard gain, Samuel totaled 171 yards on six catches.

The Bears pass rush didn’t record a single quarterback hit.

“They got the ball off quick,” Hicks said. “There wasn’t as much play action as I anticipated. I think some guys got open.”

They were playing without star pass rusher Khalil Mack, who is out with a foot injury. Starting safety Eddie Jackson left the game after the second play from scrimmage with a hamstring injury.