49ers Favorites to End Tumble

The English language uses a multitude of words to mean the same thing but slightly different. Take the word “tumble” for example. One could say the San Francisco 49ers are struggling and have hit a bad run or skid. Those are short and can be easily rectified. However, replace that with the word tumble and we’re suddenly taking our lumps and in need to help to get back on solid footing. A tumble would accurately describe what has been happening to the 49ers over the last four weeks. The team has all sorts of problems and was given a chance last week to steady themselves. Weather and abysmal quarterback play foiled that. This week the 49ers travel to the midwest and face the equally inept Chicago Bears. Ahead of the game on Sunday, we preview the matchups and what the 49ers need to end their tumble.

Sourness

The 49ers entered the season with high expectations. San Francisco entered with a fairly healthy roster and new pieces to help replicate the team’s Super Bowl run in 2019. Nearing the midway point of this season, those sweet expectations have soured as the team has lost four in a row. The offense received the hype heading into the season. Thus far it has been inconsistent with the occasional putrid showing. Against a pedestrian Colts defense, the 49ers attack was a watered-down version, content with check-down passing attempts and bad throws. The offense got away from the ground game and suffered the price for the decision.

Chicago’s defense will be without pass-rushing specialist Khalil Mack as the linebacker has suffered from a foot issue for most of October. The Chicago defense is far from useless without Mack as they have talented linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Eddie Jackson. Expect the Bears to show little respect for the 49ers passing game and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The veteran’s turnovers have been a consistent problem and ultimately cost San Francisco a victory last week. He will need to keep the football safe and at least threaten the defense with a deep shot on occasion. Garoppolo failed to pull the trigger on a couple of big plays last week, failing again on Sunday could result in a deeper hole for the 49ers.

Keep Chicago Sputtering

San Francisco’s defense has been a tough unit. The front seven is as talented as ever even if they are missing defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The second-year player has missed multiple games this season due to a knee injury and may miss the next few as well. However, the defense has continued to battle and has been a bright spot. Where the 49ers struggle is at the cornerback position. Injuries have devastated this unit and the result has been substandard veterans and spotty rookies. The current starters are Emmanuel Moseley and Josh Norman. Moseley has faced his injury issues and opposing offenses have picked on the likes of Moseley and fellow cornerbacks Dre Kirkpatrick, Dontae Johnson, and Deommodore Lenoir. The rookie Lenoir has struggled to see consistent playing time while fellow rookie Ambry Thomas may as well be on the practice squad with his lack of game action (9 snaps on defense all season).

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Chicago’s Justin Fields is a rookie quarterback that has looked awful at some points but promising at others. Fields has seen time in seven games but started only started the last five. In total, he’s thrown for six interceptions and two touchdowns. This has the makings of a breakout game for Fields if the San Francisco secondary can’t figure things out. Expect the 49ers to move the safeties around pre-snap in an attempt to trick Fields. It would also be wise to bring pressure against a suspect offensive line for the Bears. San Francisco’s defensive line has been average this season but seems like a unit ready to get going. If the front four can generate pressure, that will leave the linebacker group with the ability to help over the middle and keep Fields in the pocket.

Disrespectful Kyle

During the 2019 season, head coach Kyle Shanahan earned the monicker amongst fans as “Disrespectful Kyle”. It was a nod towards the way his offense would grind opponents into the ground with the run game and then let the ball fly for big plays using play-action. This season has seen that monicker die a painful death as the head coach has struggled to get his offense going. Part of this is his seemingly eager attempts to go away from the ground game as soon as the 49ers get traction. It happened last week after the 49ers scored on their first drive. In horrible weather, the 49ers seemed hell-bent on airing out the football. It came with disastrous consequences.

Chicago’s run defense is average at best, below average if we’re being honest. The Bears are invested heavily in talented pass rushers but this comes at the expense of corraling opposing ground games. Add to that the absence of multiple defensive contributors in the front seven and it is a recipe for success for the San Francisco ground attack. Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell has stolen the spotlight this season and looks like the top guy moving forward. The key will be getting Mitchell enough carries for it to matter. Behind Michell are JaMycal Hasty and Trey Sermon. A solid offensive showing on Sunday likely results in a total of 25-30 rushes spread out amongst the three backs. A strong offensive showing likely means an end to this chaotic tumble for the 49ers.

– Ryan Adverderada is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage 49ers. Like and follow on Follow @ryanadverderada