GRADING THE BEARS
QUARTERBACK
A Even against a bad defense, a backup QB easily could have wilted in inclement conditions. But Matt Barkley ( 11- for- 18, 192 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 97.5 rating)— after a slow start— did everything asked of him and made the right decisions and the necessary throws.
RUNNING BACKS
A- Jordan Howard ( 32 carries, 117 yards, 3 TDs) gained 17 yards on his second carry, then fumbled a pitch on the next play. Otherwise, he gave the Bears the consistency and durability they needed. All 3 TDs were inside the 5.
RECEIVERS
B+ Josh Bellamy ( 4- 93), Cam Meredith ( 3- 67) and Deonte Thompson ( 2- 19) atoned for a tough game against the Titans ( eight drops) with clutch catches that provided a spark. Bellamy had two drops, including a potential TD, but neither gaffe proved costly.
OFFENSIVE LINE
A Cody Whitehair’s ankle injury provided a scare— he returned in the fourth quarter— but it was another solid day for the short- handed offensive line. Barkley was sacked only once — the Bears led 21- 6 at the time — and that was a breakdown by TE Daniel Brown.
DEFENSIVE LINE
A+ Akiem Hicks ( 10 tackles, two sacks) and Eddie Goldman ( one sack) were a two- man wrecking crew, and Mitch Unrein was stout at the point of attack as the Bears dominated the trenches on a day when that was of utmost importance.
LINEBACKERS
A Leonard Floyd had two sacks and still might not have been the most impressive rookie. Nick Kwiatkoski ( nine tackles) had two tackles for loss and broke up two passes. John Timu ( three tackles, one pass defended) used his head in pass coverage.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
A The 49ers threw only 15 passes and completed just five, with a long play of 18 yards. Tracy Porter was injured but returned. Harold Jones- Quartey started for injured Adrian Amos and had nine tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
D Things started off poorly when Pat O’Donnell had a punt blocked and Thompson fumbled a kickoff, but neither proved costly. Sherrick McManis downed a punt at the 3- yard line and had a nice stick in kickoff coverage. Connor Barth was 3- for- 3 on PATs, which is worth noting in this era.
COACHING
B+ The Bears were prepared for the elements. They established the run early, then took advantage of the 49ers’ shaky secondary with an efficient passing game. The Bears haven’t quit on coach John Fox.