Bears vs. 49ers — What to Watch For

WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL

The firing of Matt Eberflus isn’t expected to change much on offense. Brown himself will be making the biggest adjustment — calling plays from the sideline as the head coach instead of the coach’s box as the offensive coordinator.

Though this game looked daunting initially, the 49ers’ defense, while fifth in the NFL in yards allowed, is 24th in points allowed — down from third last season. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) has been out all year. All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) has missed the last two games. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps) suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. Safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) is just returning to practice while on injured reserve.

The Bears’ offense, which has averaged 363 yards in three games with Brown calling the plays after averaging 230 yards in three games following the bye under Waldron, has an opportunity to continue its roll against a 49ers defense that has allowed 38 points (against the Packers) and 35 points (against the Bills) in its last two games.

Whether Bosa plays or not, the key matchup will be the 49ers’ defensive front against a Bears’ offensive line and protection scheme that faltered against the Lions last week. Right tackle Darnell Wright, who missed the last 30 snaps against the Lions with a knee injury — four of Williams’ five sacks came after he left — is expected to return against the 49ers.

WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL

The firing of Matt Eberflus promoted Eric Washington to the play-calling role as the Bears’ defensive coordinator, and he’ll get a challenge right away against a Kyle Shanahan offense that is a load at full strength but still capable despite several injuries.

“You see all the signatures of a Kyle Shanahan-led offense,” said Washington, who has not called plays since the 2018 season with the Panthers. “Really, really intent on running the football when they are at their best.”

That’s a key distinction, because the 49ers will not be at their best. Running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason are on injured reserve. That figures to be a break for a Bears’ run defense that has been a disappointment all season, but particular after the bye.

The Bears have allowed an average of 158.2 rushing yards in their six post-bye games (30th in the NFL in that span) after allowing an average of 112.0 yards in their first six games (10th in the NFL).

The key matchup will be the Bears’ defensive front stopping the run against a 49ers offensive line that could be missing All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.

With all their injuries, the 49ers have dropped from third to 16th in scoring since last season. But even banged up, they can produce against vulnerable defenses. That’s a litmus test for a Bears defense that has had two personalities this season. That was never more evident that against the Lions, when the Bears allowed 357 yards (6.6 per play) in the first three quarters and 48 (4.4 per play) in the fourth quarter to give the Bears a chance to win after falling behind 23-7.