Few host NFL teams were happier to be back home in week 14 than the San Francisco 49ers. Back to back road games sandwiching Thanksgiving, and back to back throttling of a short handed and on life support Niners squad, definitely made the red and gold and its fans homesick. The homecoming, albeit still in the midst of the season from hell, was a glorious one. The 49ers are still in a perilous position as it pertains to the 2024 playoff race, but they played with pride on Sunday. They flexed their muscles emphatically, and although the 38-13 of the plummeting Bears isn’t exactly the most impressive win, it was a gasping breath of oxygen in Santa Clara.
It begs the question, did the 49ers turn a corner, or were they simply bullying the Bears like the rest of the league has done for the last two months. A porous Chicago offensive line allowed a struggling Bosa-less Niners pass rush to get home and wreck the game, especially in the first half. Caleb Williams is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL this year. A depleted 49er front seven was happy to contribute to that harrowing total.
The surge for San Francisco can at least partially be attributed to a deep meeting the team had on Saturday night. George Kittle spoke up following the win and highlighted the words of leaders who don’t typically take the bull by the horns verbally. Deommodore Lenoir and Brock Purdy were brought up, respectively.
Niners fans, coaches, teammates, front office, you name it, all got a good scare in the third quarter when Brock Purdy was nearly folded in half backwards on a violent hit in the pocket. Luckily, Purdy only missed one play before valiantly trotting onto the field. The Faithful made themselves and their appreciation for their quarterback known as theory showered the former Mr. Irrelevant with chants and adoration.
Purdy, always all business, appreciated the gesture tremendously.
If you follow the 49ers in any depth, you’ve surely been subjected to the rumors that Kyle Shanahan could be traded to a team like the Bears in the midst of discontent from a disappointing season. Usually, cooler heads prevail to extinguish such mutterings, but the question made itself to Kyle Shanahan himself following the big win over the Bears. Shanahan took it in stride, and wore a smile as he expressed his comfort in his current role.
“I don’t know why [those rumors] come out, but I don’t wanna be any place in the world other than here.”
A short week awaits the Niners before a pivotal, very pivotal, matchup with the Rams. As must win as any game has been for the 49ers this season.