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  • February 18, 2025
Bears vs. 49ers – What to Watch For

Bears vs. 49ers – What to Watch For

WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL

The firing of Matt Eberflus isn’t expected to change much of the offense. Brown himself will make the biggest adjustment: he will play from the sidelines as a head coach instead of from the coach’s box as an offensive coordinator.

While this game looked intimidating at first, the 49ers defense, while fifth in the NFL in yards allowed, is 24th in points allowed – down from third last season. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) has been out all year. All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) has missed the last two games. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps) suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. Safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) just returned to practice while on injured reserve.

The Bears’ offense, which averaged 363 yards in three games with Brown calling the plays after averaging 230 yards in three games after the bye under Waldron, has a chance to continue its role against a 49ers defense that allowed 38 points has allowed (against the Packers) and 35 points (against the Bills) in the last two games.

Whether Bosa plays or not, the biggest matchup will be the 49ers’ defensive front against the Bears’ offensive line and protection scheme that faltered against the Lions last week. Right tackle Darnell Wright, who missed the final 30 snaps against the Lions with a knee injury — four of Williams’ five sacks came after he left — is expected to return against the 49ers.

WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL

The firing of Matt Eberflus promoted Eric Washington to the play-calling role as the Bears’ defensive coordinator, and he will immediately face a challenge against a Kyle Shanahan offense that is loaded at full strength but still capable despite several injuries.

“You see all the signatures of a Kyle Shanahan-led offense,” said Washington, who hasn’t made the call since the 2018 season with the Panthers. “Really, really intending to run the football when they are at their best.”

That’s an important distinction because the 49ers won’t be at their best. Running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason are on injured reserve. That appears to be a break for a Bears defense that has been a disappointment all season, but especially after the bye game.

The Bears have allowed an average of 158.2 rushing yards in their six post-bye games (30th in the NFL in that span), after allowing an average of 112.0 yards in their first six games (10th in the NFL).

The key matchup will be the Bears’ defensive front stopping the run against a 49ers offensive line that could miss All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.

Despite all their injuries, the 49ers have fallen from third to 16th since last season. But even if they get beaten up, they can defend themselves against vulnerable defense mechanisms. That’s a litmus test for a Bears defense that has had two personalities this season. That was never more evident than against the Lions, when the Bears allowed 357 yards (6.6 per play) in the first three quarters and 48 (4.4 per play) in the fourth quarter to give the Bears a chance to to win after trailing 23-23. 7.