How off-script final play from 49ers defense sealed thrilling win over Bears

Middle linebacker Tatum Bethune received the call from defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.It all came down to the final play, a second down from the 49ers’ 2-yard line with :04 remaining in the game.The 49ers were clinging to a 42-38 lead against the Chicago Bears, a team that already had won an NFL-record six games this season when trailing with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.Saleh decided to send Bethune and weakside linebacker Dee Winters on a blitz while defensive linemen Sam Okuayinonu and Yetur Gross-Matos dropped into coverage.But Bethune and Winters had a different idea of how to defend Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.Bethune explained what happened while speaking with Tim Ryan and Guy Haberman on the KNBR 680 postgame show following the 49ers’ sixth consecutive victory.“Me and Dee were supposed to be on a blitz,” Bethune said, “and we dropped out because we knew what they were capable of and we just wanted to put some extra heads in the throwing lane and make Caleb run around and waste the time out, and that’s what he did.”The adjustment Bethune and Winters made on the spot meant the 49ers essentially were...