Chicago Bears vs. the 49ers 12/28, 5:20 - Pre-game Thread

Originally posted by Sanfran_chrisco:
how the f**k does David figure that?

these last two games are going to be a gauntlet; going to be hard to win out

He's not a fan of Caleb Williams for one.

Originally posted by Sanfran_chrisco:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

The 49ers are 3-point favorites over the Bears.

And it isn't crazy to think that their defense will be in much better position to defend Caleb Williams than it was vs Philip Rivers

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 23, 2025

how the f**k does David figure that?

these last two games are going to be a gauntlet; going to be hard to win out

Because he's a homer. Caleb will be a more difficult matchup for us because he is mobile. Everyone time we pressured Rivers last night, he caved. He doesn't have the legs nor the arm power to throw if he's not set. Caleb has a better arm (albeit a lower football IQ than Rivers) and he can run. Our kryptonite has always been mobile QBs.

our best bet….talk a big lead, force Chicago to abandon their game plan, then hope Caleb starts throwing prayers so we can get turnovers. If we let Chicago dictate the game, I can see them play us on offense like Houston did and just pick th D apart.

Originally posted by Sanfran_chrisco:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

The 49ers are 3-point favorites over the Bears.

And it isn't crazy to think that their defense will be in much better position to defend Caleb Williams than it was vs Philip Rivers

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 23, 2025

how the f**k does David figure that?

these last two games are going to be a gauntlet; going to be hard to win out

Lol

49ers are playing just as good as the best in the league right now, maybe better. It won't be easy(it never is), but the 49ers have a GREAT chance of beating the Bears and Seattle

Originally posted by DrEll:
The problem with our secondary are the safeties. Brown and Mustapha can hit hard (assuming they don't have to wrap up because they whiff a lot) but they can't cover for s**t. And that leaves our corners on an island trying to cover receivers one on one. Need an overhaul at the position this offseason. Maybe keep Mustapha for run downs next year but definitely need to sign some legit safeties this offseason…

I agree, but it's like the Safeties don't have the range to cover deep passes from sideline to sideline. We got two box Safeties trying to play FS.

I think the play for the bears is to contain rush caleb and make him make reads in the pocket. Caleb has been dynamic when "off script". He is not nearly as good if has to think.

this is probably cope, but I feel like our lack of pass rush won't hurt us as much vs a QB like Caleb. Just keep him in the pocket and make him a pocket passer, I'm not convinced he can do a ton of damage there. Just can't let him run around on the perimeter and launch bombs.

Originally posted by Ajinsc:
I think the play for the bears is to contain rush caleb and make him make reads in the pocket. Caleb has been dynamic when "off script". He is not nearly as good if has to think.

And hopefully bottle up the run game.

Originally posted by Sanfran_chrisco:
how the f**k does David figure that?

these last two games are going to be a gauntlet; going to be hard to win out

Every game is hard. The offense put on a clinic. The Niners are now the team to beat. Can the other teams keep up?

The Bears are one of the few teams who have more rushing attempts than the 49ers, so stopping the run will be key. The Bears also appear to be better defending the pass than the run, so we could see a heavy dose of the run game on both sides and a low scoring game. Dinero might need to hit one of those long ones for a walk-off win.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
The Colts lost on Nov. 30 at home to the Texans. They were on a 4 game losing streak with a depleted O line and a QB of the scrap heap. A win is a win but don't get too high. If they have convincing wins over the Bears and the Seahawks then I'll start getting excited about the playoffs.

Catch, you must've been brewing coffee or doing fact checking while posting this (I edited 8:34)

Indy brought their best Sunday... fighting for playoff spot and home against a team that hasn't won in their house since Manning was a rook

This game won't be any tougher than last night and probably less of a threat. Shanny will out coach the HC on the other side too #BookIt

Go 49ers!

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by DrEll:
The problem with our secondary are the safeties. Brown and Mustapha can hit hard (assuming they don't have to wrap up because they whiff a lot) but they can't cover for s**t. And that leaves our corners on an island trying to cover receivers one on one. Need an overhaul at the position this offseason. Maybe keep Mustapha for run downs next year but definitely need to sign some legit safeties this offseason…

I agree, but it's like the Safeties don't have the range to cover deep passes from sideline to sideline. We got two box Safeties trying to play FS.

All of that for sure

But no worries, Acorn Head will come prepared for teh cubs... YGM, EK, Bethune and SamO knocked the rust off and will bring more heat Green should be back too. Our two box safeties gonna have to be stout vs the run

Originally posted by NYniner85:
We're gonna have issues because we can't rush the passer consistently. It's for sure a problem.

saw this and it adds up as well

The 49ers defense was caught off-guard by a strong running team coming out and throwing almost every play from no-huddle with a 44-year old QB.

The first 2 drives they gave up 137 yards and 2 TD's.

After that, it was 140 yards over the next 7 drives.
Rivers:
1st half: 14/21,…

— JonnydelsFA (@jonnydels) December 23, 2025

I thought this was what happened too watching it live. Seem like the 49ers defense game planned for a more heavy ground game. With the only tape on rivers showed was last week against Seattle it would make sense.

Originally posted by Tigerlaw:

Originally posted by 9moon:

Originally posted by Tigerlaw:

Originally posted by ninersrule4:
I just don't see how this defense is going to keep any of the elite offense like Chicago and LA from scoring 35 plus. The offense needs to be at full throttle the rest of the season/playoffs.

It will be all on the offense

There are times a good defense doesnt work...and you need to outscore your opponent

Alex Smith v Drew Brees playoff game with 5+ lead changes comes to my mind immediately

Our defense was great but the offense was needed

Our current SB chances are 100% on Purdy and the offense doing the heavy work

DC Saleh needs to come up with a better game plan than the one we saw against Granpa Rivers!! Everyone's saw the Rams' blue print on how to attack our DBs!!

Saleh was prepared for a Colts running game and he took away TE Warren

The Colts came out with a crazy pass only mindset.

Saleh adjusted after 2 drives (he has done this all year)

The 49ers defense was caught off-guard by Indy's pass-heavy start but actually rebounded to play well. It's important to look more deeply into the splits...

First 2 Colts drives: 21 plays, 158 yards, 7.5 YPP
Final 7 Colts drives: 37 plays, 154 yards, 4.1 YPP pic.twitter.com/CToDvrH5R5

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 23, 2025

Was great to see the adjustments by the defense to slow them down finally. Was awesome to watch the game last night. So excited for next Sunday night against Da Bears

Originally posted by DrEll:

Originally posted by Sanfran_chrisco:

Originally posted by ninerfan4life:

The 49ers are 3-point favorites over the Bears.

And it isn't crazy to think that their defense will be in much better position to defend Caleb Williams than it was vs Philip Rivers

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 23, 2025

how the f**k does David figure that?

these last two games are going to be a gauntlet; going to be hard to win out

Because he's a homer. Caleb will be a more difficult matchup for us because he is mobile. Everyone time we pressured Rivers last night, he caved. He doesn't have the legs nor the arm power to throw if he's not set. Caleb has a better arm (albeit a lower football IQ than Rivers) and he can run. Our kryptonite has always been mobile QBs.

our best bet….talk a big lead, force Chicago to abandon their game plan, then hope Caleb starts throwing prayers so we can get turnovers. If we let Chicago dictate the game, I can see them play us on offense like Houston did and just pick th D apart.

WTF do you think Shanny just woke up from the dark ages!? Of course that's the game plan... erryone is going to have to abandon the run game at some point in order to keep up with this offense, they're in full throttle playoff mode

Niners might not have to punt (3rd game in a row) until seaCucks come for their ass whoopin too