Chicago Bears Keep Hopes of Bye Alive With Win Over 49ers
The win means the Bears still have a chance to earn a playoff bye next week
By James Neveau ••
The Chicago Bears kept their faint hopes of a first round playoff bye alive with a win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon.
The Bears’ offense struggled to score points against the 49ers, but a strong third quarter drive by Mitchell Trubisky was just enough for them to pull out the victory, snapping San Francisco’s modest two-game losing streak.
Linebacker Roquan Smith had eight tackles and a sack in the game, and Danny Trevathan had six tackles and an interception to help the Bears to their eighth win in their last nine games.
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Adam Shaheen #87 of the Chicago Bears is unable to make a catch in the endzone against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: A Chicago Bears fan cheers in the stands during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Chicago Bears fans cheer in the stands during their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers slides after a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Anthony Miller #17 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Danny Trevathan #59 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after intercepting a pass by Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Joel Iyiegbuniwe #45 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Bears appeared to have the game iced in the fourth quarter when Allen Robinson converted on a third down play, but the ball was knocked out of his hands, and the 49ers recovered it to at least give themselves a chance to take the lead.
It wasn't meant to be however, as Nick Mullens threw an incomplete pass on fourth down to seal the victory for Chicago.
With the victory, the Bears will still have a chance to clinch a first round playoff bye next weekend, as a win against the Vikings (and a Rams loss to the 49ers) would do just that.
