3 overreactions to the 49ers Week 14 win over the Bears: The offense is back!

Taking a look at what what we saw in Week 14 and applying it to the rest of the season for the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers looked like the San Francisco 49ers of old on both sides of the ball. The offense came out aggressive and finished drives in the red zone, while the defense sacked the quarterback multiple times to end drives.

Was what we saw a mirage? Or is this who the Niners will be moving forward? Let’s get into the overreactions from Week 14.

The offensive issues are fixed

The 49ers scored 30+ points for the first time in five games. The return to Levi’s Stadium helped. Two road games, one with Brandon Allen under center and one in the snow, made the offense look much worse.

Playing the Bears didn’t hurt. But how the 49ers attacked Chicago should give fans optimism moving forward.

Brock Purdy threw the ball beyond 20 yards more times than any week since Week 4. That tells me Purdy is not only healthy but also Kyle Shanahan can attack the way that he wants to. There were long-developing plays that required Purdy to throw the ball across the field, which was encouraging to see from both Purdy and Shanahan.

We saw Isaac Guerendo, a running back, involved in the passing game. That’s been a significant faction of the 49ers passing offense with Christian McCaffrey. Then, you have the target distribution.

Jauan Jennings had eight targets. George Kittle had six. Nobody else had more than two. Guerendo had two explosive plays, Deebo Samuel had another, but the two best pass-catchers on the team dominated the stat sheet, and that’s the best path to success for the 49ers moving forward.

The offense needs Guerendo’s speed. I’m not sure Patrick Taylor can provide the same big-play ability that Guerendo did. Israel Ibanikanda can, but he’s only proven that in college. If there’s speed in the backfield, I’m in the mindset that the 49ers offensive issues are resolved.

Verdict: Not an overreaction

This is the 49ers defense of old

Two games after surrendering 73 combined points, San Francisco limited the Bears to 13 points, including a first-half shutout. Chicago only averaged 3.2 yards per carry on the ground, while Caleb Williams was sacked seven times and averaged 5.8 yards per attempt on 23 passes.

I hesitate to crown the other side whenever there are season highs or lows, like sacks or point totals. In this case, it’s the Niners defense. They played well, and that should be acknowledged. D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen make a formidable trio, and neither player had a reception longer than 17 yards.

But three Yetur Gross-Matos sacks are hardly sustainable. Again, I’m not faulting him or Leonard Floyd for beating up on a bad offensive line. That’s what you’re supposed to do. But getting the past couple of weeks out of your mind is difficult.

Aside from the change in scenery, the biggest change from the previous two weeks was the defense’s energy spiked. Deommodore Lenoir and Dee Winters were a big reason why.

I’ve been touting the Niners’ defense all season, but the past month has left plenty to be desired. I will give them their crown back if they can look the same as they did against the Bears versus the following three offenses they play: Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, and Ben Johnson.

Verdict: Overreaction

The 49ers won’t win another game without Trent Williams or Nick Bosa

We’ve gotten comfortable watching the Niners play without their two best players. Not having Williams shows up, even when there’s a big play. Remember Guerendo’s catch down the sideline?

There was an unblocked defender that hit Purdy. He should have never been touched by that defender, anyway. Jaylon Moore elected to take the outside rusher instead of the “biggest threat,” which was the pass rusher to Moore’s right.

To me, the above play isn’t on Jake Brendel. It’s on the inexperienced Moore. Kudos to Purdy for still making the play, but that’s not a play where the quarterback should be hit.

Bosa’s presence has been genuinely missed against the run. This year, Bosa has more games with at least four run stops than he has two. He doesn’t just “hold the point of attack” against the run. He wins and finishes. And when that happens, you get to rush the passer in 3rd & long situations. Bosa has consistently been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL from the moment he stepped onto the field.

Bosa’s presence is a requirement against these next three opponents. Shanahan didn’t have any new updates on either Williams or Bosa, but the last few times Bosa has played the Rams, he has overwhelmed them.

When there’s familiarity in games like this Thursday, the Jimmys and Joes matter more than the Xs and Os. Without Bosa or Williams, the Niners are in a difficult spot. Hopefully, at least one of them can suit up.

Verdict: Not an overreaction