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The Chicago Bears defeated the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, September 11, 2022. The 49ers had been favored by six and a half points on the road, and Mother Nature favored the Bears. Let's say it rained precisely when it was supposed to, but that's not why the 49ers let the game slip away.
The San Francisco defense was supposed to be the most vital link going into the season. The team chose Trey Lance as the starting quarterback and found a way to retain Jimmy Garoppolo as a backup quarterback. The 49ers replenished the defense with talented depth, but at a point in the game, the defense somehow became the weakest link.
San Francisco's defense started the game on fire, forcing a turnover—an interception by
Talanoa Hufanga—and five punts to end the first half and go into halftime with a 7-0 lead. I know this will seem unfair and one-sided because the defense provided the offense with many opportunities to put more points on the board, and the offense failed miserably, but I want to focus on the strength of the team, the defense.
In the second half of the game, the offense marched down the field and missed an opportunity to score a touchdown, but they put up three points, giving the team a ten to zero lead in the third. With the defense being as good as they were, the 49ers offense gave the defense a 10-point lead. With 30 minutes left in regulation, this should have been enough to secure the win, right? Wrong.
Two plays in particular caused the 49ers to lose this game. Both plays included linebacker
Dre Greenlaw, who didn't have the best game in week one. The first play was on third down and four with a little over seven minutes. The
49ers defense got into the backfield for a tackle for loss, and the referees threw a penalty on Greenlaw for a facemask. This penalty resulted in a 15-yard gain and, more critical, a first down for the Bears.
On the next series, on third and ten, Bears quarterback Justin Fields escapes the sack of 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead, extends the play, and passes to a wide-open receiver in Dante Pettis, who scores a touchdown. It's hard to say who's the assignment on that play, but it was initially Greenlaw's man. It could have easily been Hufanga's guy as well. Those two plays on that drive changed the momentum of the game, a penalty, and blown coverage.
The 49ers could never recover once the momentum shifted. The offense couldn't find its rhythm forcing the defense to be on the field more, and by the fourth quarter, the defense was exhausted. The unit allowed 19 unanswered points, and the Bears celebrated a victory, defeating the highly-favored 49ers.
Next up, the team heads home to host the Seattle Seahawks (1-0), coming off their Monday night win against the Denver Broncos. The 49ers defense will look to bounce back, and they need to find a way to prepare mentally and physically for 60 minutes of football.
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Wayne Breezie is a 49ers content creator. He had his first guest appearance on Ronbosports in 2012. He began writing for a Facebook group called the League of the 49ers. Next, he began writing for Nothing But Niners in 2017. In 2018, Wayne Breezie made his debut on YouTube’s Nothing But Niners show. In 2019, he started his podcast called Nitty Gritty Niners. After putting the pen down for several years, Breezie saw an opportunity to write for 49erscap.com. His first published article was in January of 2022 with 49ersCap, and he currently writes and produces weekly podcasts.
The San Francisco 49ers are in good shape for 2024 when it comes to the wide receiver position. What that room looks like after this coming season remains to be seen. Most believe the 49ers will give Brandon Aiyuk a new contract around the start of training camp. But there are no guarantees. As it was reported on Friday, Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram, much like Deebo Samuel did two years ago.
It seems to be how modern-day players negotiate. It's not necessarily anything to be concerned about, but you never truly know how these things will end. There is still potential that the 49ers could trade the star receiver in the next couple of weeks.
If Aiyuk is extended, it
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
