The San Francisco 49ers beat the Chicago Bears 26-20 in overtime, giving them their first win at Soldier Field since the NFC Championship game of the 1988 season.
The 49ers offense struggled early but the defense got into the end zone first. DB Jimmie Ward picked off QB Jay Cutler in the first quarter and returned it for a touchdown. It was his first career touchdown and the 49ers' first touchdown in the first quarter this season. A failed extra-point would tie the game up at six a piece.
It was good revenge for Ward, who last season had a terrible game against the Bears. WR Brandon Marshall had three touchdowns against him in Chicago's 28-20 victory at Levi's Stadium.
Can't-Miss Play: Jimmy jumps Jay
Chicago would strike next after an 8-play, 80 yard drive that would end in a touchdown by RB Matt Forte to take a 13-6 lead. A 1-yard touchdown run by 49ers RB Shaun Draughn would tie the game once again.
It would remain tied 13-13 for much of the remainder of the game until Bears RB Ka'Deem Carey would cap off a 6-play, 83-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to take a 20-13 lead late in the fourth quarter.
On the very next drive, the 49ers would drive 64-yards in 6 plays, which ended with a huge 44-yard run by QB Blaine Gabbert, once again tying the game with the score of 20-20. But an ensuing 74-yard kickoff return by Bears WR Deonte Thompson would put Chicago in 49ers territory and a failed Robbie Gould field goal attempt to win the game would send it into overtime.
The 49ers would win it on a 71-yard bomb by Gabbert to WR Torrey Smith in overtime. Gabbert would finish the game 18 of 32 for 196 yards and a touchdown. He would also have 75 yards rushing on six carries. Smith would end up with 75 yards receiving on just two receptions. While RB Shaun Draughn would rush for only 36 yards and a touchdown in the game, he added 50 yards receiving on five catches.
Can't-Miss Play: Gabbert wins the game
"Our guys did a tremendous job on both sides of the football, fighting through the adversity, and playing clutch football and coming out with the victory," Gabbert said following the game.
There were some concussion scares for the 49ers in the game. TE Vance McDonald left the game in the second quarter after being hit in the back of the helmet by a Bears defender's knee. He would not return. During the same quarter, LB NaVorro Bowman left the game after a collision with teammate Quinton Dial. Bowman would return in the second half after passing the concussion protocol. Dial would collide again with another teammate in the third quarter, this time LB Aaron Lynch. He suffered a concussion and did not return.
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