December 9th 2024.
The San Francisco 49ers had been facing a rough stretch in their season, with three consecutive losses and a long list of injured players. It seemed like their once-promising season was quickly slipping away. However, in their game against the Bears on Sunday, something unexpected happened.
Defensive end Leonard Floyd described the 49ers' pass rush as "smoking hot," a stark contrast to their previous games without star player Nick Bosa. Floyd himself recorded two sacks, contributing to the team's total of six for the game. They also managed to force a fumble, although it didn't count towards their sack total.
Without Bosa on the field, the 49ers had struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks in their past two games, but that all changed in this game. Floyd acknowledged that having Bosa on the field makes things easier, but he was proud of the way his teammates stepped up and played their best.
The 49ers came out strong from the beginning, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive and dominating the Bears on both sides of the ball. By the time the Bears managed to move the chains for the second time, they were already down 24-0 and had taken four sacks. In total, they only gained 162 yards, the lowest amount the 49ers had allowed all season.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the draft, showed off his athleticism but was constantly under pressure from the 49ers' defensive line. The secondary, led by the return of safety Talanoa Hufanga, provided support for the front seven.
Hufanga noted that their job in the secondary was to play tight coverage and give their teammates enough time to get to the quarterback. They knew that Williams didn't want to turn the ball over, so they were content with getting to him and forcing sacks.
This season has been filled with injuries for the 49ers, and this game was no different. Their pass rush was led by a player who had spent most of the season on injured reserve, and their only turnover was recovered by an undrafted rookie. Yeter Gross-Matos, who had been out with a knee injury since Week 4, had a standout performance with three sacks. His efforts earned him the ceremonial Kukui Nut necklace, a tradition started by Hufanga.
In the fourth quarter, with the Bears threatening to score in 49ers territory, the San Francisco pressure caused another fumble, which was recovered by Evan Anderson. Despite only recording two sacks that didn't come on third down, the timing of this one was crucial in sealing the win for the 49ers.
Anderson, an undrafted rookie, credited the team's "DNA" for his quick thinking in recovering the fumble. He had been listening to coach Kyle Shanahan, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, and quarterback Brock Purdy, who had all emphasized the importance of their remaining schedule. After three straight losses, their season wasn't over yet, but one more loss could put them out of playoff contention.
Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek had also challenged Floyd to be more vocal at practice, and it paid off in this game. Floyd, who is in his first season with the 49ers, said he usually leads by example, but he took the challenge and was more vocal during practice. His efforts were evident on the field, as he now leads the team in sacks and is on track to reach nine sacks for the fifth consecutive season.
Floyd acknowledged that Bosa had given him a bit of a break with his absence, but he knows that their job is not finished until they make it to the playoffs. The team had a "playoff mentality" in practice leading up to this game, and it translated into a dominant performance on the field.
It was a much-needed win for the 49ers, who are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. With a strong performance from their defense, and contributions from unexpected sources, they were able to get back in the win column. The 49ers may have had a rough season, but they are determined to keep fighting until the very end.
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