Yetur Gross-Matos wins a gold jacket for the defense.
For one week, the 49ers resembled the team from last season. The offense converted in the red zone, the defense generated a pass rush, Brock Purdy was sharp, and the offense scored 38 points. Despite missing Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa for one brief shining week, the 49ers played 49er football.
Yes, the opponent was dysfunctional. The Bears’ offense was abysmal for much of Sunday’s contest. At halftime, the offense gained two yards. Chicago’s deficit was 24 points, and the game never felt close.
Let’s hand out some gold jackets from Sunday’s blowout win over Chicago.
Offense: George Kittle
In the most obvious “squeaky wheel” game following Kittle’s comments about his lack of targets in Buffalo, the all-world tight end went off on the Bears to the tune of six receptions, 151 yards, and 25.2 yards per reception. The 49ers offense totaled 452 yards and 38 points, but Kittle was the brightest of the team’s stars on Sunday.
The fourth play from scrimmage went for 33 yards to Kittle, which set up Jauan Jennings’ seven-yard touchdown to kick off the scoring. The 49ers’ third drive began with another long play to Kittle for 32 yards. The offense hit chunk play after chunk play, and it felt like Kittle was running through Bears defenders.
Kittle’s season numbers sit at 56 receptions, 800 yards, 14.3 yards per reception, and eight touchdowns. His 2024 pace is 73 receptions, 1,046 yards, 14.3 yards per reception, and ten touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: Jauan Jennings, Brock Purdy, Isaac Guerendo
The 49ers leading receiver continued his breakout campaign with seven catches, 90 yards, and two touchdowns. Jennings has been the 49ers best receiver in 2024, hands down. Purdy had his finest game of the season, completing 20 of 25 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns. A Ricky Pearsall penalty called back a potential rushing touchdown for Purdy. Rookie Isaac Guerendo stepped into the lead back role and delivered 78 rushing yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. The former receiver also pitched in two receptions for 50 yards.
Defense: Yetur Gross-Matos
Four tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and three QB hits is a worthy performance for a gold jacket. Gross-Matos had his finest moment as a 49er, and the defensive line generated pressure and harassed Caleb Williams all game. Sunday’s performance tripled Gross-Matos’ sack total on the season and is a welcome sight with the team’s biggest stretch of games upcoming.
Honorable Mention: Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins
The 49ers totaled six sacks, and all six were caused by Gross-Matos (three), Leonard Floyd (two), and Maliek Collins (one). The trio was responsible for all seven QB hits. Evan Anderson fell on Williams’ unforced error for the lone turnover on the day for the defense, but the team was in top form, allowing just 162 total yards on ten drives. Regardless of the opponent, allowing only 3.1 yards per play is impressive.