How the Chicago Bears Spoiled 49ers Home Opener

Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi

Everyone accepted the history and believed the Chicago Bears were dead meat in San Francisco.  So how did they crash the party?

Jay Cutler kept them close

Up until the end of the first half, everything was unfolding as predicted.  The 49ers had rolled off 17-straight points and were poised to go into the half with a shutout intact.  With 2:22 left, Chicago needs something, anything out of their final drive.  Fittingly, it was Jay Cutler, so maligned by fans and media alike, that answered the bell.  Aided by four San Francisco penalties including a nasty roughing the passer call, Cutler ran and pass them to the 49ers 17-yard line.  On 3rd and 2 most would’ve believed they’d settle for a first down.  Instead Cutler stayed aggressive, lofting a backshoulder throw to Brandon Marshall who made a spectacular one-handed grab for the touchdown.  This cut the lead to 10 points, and more critically gave the Bears some momentum.

Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery gutting it out

Great performances are not just keyed by talent or intelligence.  Sometimes simply showing courage can do wonder.  Before the game, many NFL insiders were reporting that star receivers Marshall and Alshon Jeffery were doubtful to play.  Marshall had a twisted ankle that kept him out of practice all week while Jeffery nursed a tweaked hamstring.

Somewhat surprisingly, both were declared active for the game and both made some plays.  Marshall of course had the big day with three touchdown catches but Jeffery made some plays of his own with three catches for 47 yards.  They had every built in excuse not to suit up, but they did, and the Bears as a team followed their lead.

Attacking Colin Kaepernick

One of the best friends of a great offense is a dynamic pass rush.  That is what the Chicago Bears front office invested heavily in during the off-season and it paid big dividends in San Francisco.  While Colin Kaepernick got out of the gates hot, the Bears front put him under a lot of heat, forcing him to scramble and then, as the game progressed, began to sack him.  Willie Young, who had three sacks all of last season, notched his second and third of this season.  Much maligned former 1st round pick Shea McClellin got one of his own, as did nose tackle Stephen Paea.

The side effect of that pressure caused exactly what Chicago hoped for:  turnovers.  Kaepernick wound up throwing three interceptions on the night and also lost a fumble.  The Bears were able to turn those miscues into 21 points in the 4th quarter.

Staying close.  Stay tough.  Taking the football away.  That is a proven formula to winning on the road.