With the exception of a 44-yard scramble by quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Bears linebackers adjusted to some early 49ers passing underneath and held the 49ers to 77 rushing yards other than Gabbert’s scamper (3.5 ypc.) and that included his five other runs for 31 net yards.
Pernell McPhee dropped down inside in rush situations, with Lamarr Houston and Willie Young handling the edges. McPhee blew up protection lining up at an interior spot in the first quarter, a sack going to Willie Young.
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"We thought we had it, but it still somehow slipped away,” said McPhee, whose production has flattened overall, credited initially with one tackle, one hit on Gabbert and a pass deflection. “We just have to learn from that and keep pushing."
Shea McClellin delivered a pursuit open-field tackle on a swing pass to RB Shaun Draughn in the first quarter, preventing a first down. He later ran a scrambling Blaine Gabbert out of bounds early in the fourth quarter to force a three-and-out from deep in the San Francisco end.
Linebacker were among the victims of Gabbert’s escape, and as far as that kind of inconsistency, "I don't know,” said McClellin, who led the Bears with nine solo tackles. “We just have to find a way to fix it. That's the bottom line. I don’t think there's one specific thing to point to."
Moon's Grade: B-