Yahoo Sports 5 Niners players to watch vs. Bears
A new era of Chicago Bears football is set to begin on Sunday when the team travels to the West Coast to take on the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears (4-8) are mired in a six-game losing streak with each loss ending worse than the last. The team finally did something about it, however, as they relieved Matt Eberflus of his head coaching duties and named Thomas Brown the interim head coach. Time will tell whether or not Brown provides a spark, but it would be hard to see him experience another last-second loss like we saw under Eberflus.
Things haven't been great for the Bears lately, but they're not much better for the 49ers. San Francisco (5-7) is in the middle of their own losing streak, having dropped three in a row while they deal with numerous injuries on both sides of the ball. Their playoff chances are dwindling, and they need to get back on track in a hurry.
Even though the 49ers won't have some of their star players, they're a deep team that can still turn it on. Here are five 49ers players to watch on Sunday afternoon:
1. QB Brock Purdy
Quarterback Brock Purdy returned from an elbow injury last week against the Buffalo Bills and was as ineffective as he could be in the elements. The third-year pro completed just 11 passes and threw for 94 yards in a snowy primetime game in a lopsided 35-10 loss. It's a game that may have caused the 49ers season to teeter in the wrong direction, but the good news for Purdy is he's finally healthy.
Purdy avoided the injury report this week and is a full go for Sunday's game against the Bears. Interestingly enough, though, he's been dreadful at home. According to Chicago Sports Network's Clay Harbor, Purdy is 32nd in the league in passer rating at home. Playing without Trent Williams, their top two running backs, and Brandon Aiyuk against a Bears defense that should be playing more inspired football following the coaching change could make for a tough matchup for the 49ers signal caller.
2. RB Issac Guerendo
The 49ers suffered not one, but two massive losses in their backfield last weekend. Starting running back Christian McCaffrey suffered a PCL injury that has ended his season, and his backup, Jordan Mason, will miss time with an ankle injury. That leaves fourth-round rookie Isaac Guerendo as the top back, who will be counted on to shoulder the load. Guerendo faces a Bears defense that struggles to stop the run, but with injuries on the offensive line, can he get going early to set the tone?
When Guerendo gets going, he's difficult to stop. In two games where he's carried the ball more than 10 times, Guerendo has rushed for no less than 85 yards thanks to his game-breaking speed. His season-high is 99 yards on 10 carries against the Seattle Seahawks, making him a threat to break a big run at any point. Considering the Bears allowed Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs to average 9.7 yards per carry last week and are a bottom-10 team in rushing yards allowed per game, Guerendo can do some damage.
3. TE George Kittle
George Kittle always loves going up against his childhood team, and he has even more of a reason for that this year. The Bears continue to struggle defending against opposing tight ends. Multiple players have gone over 100 yards in a game (TJ Hockenson and Evan Engram), and others have been touchdown merchants (Sam LaPorta). That should be music to Kittle's ears, who has a chance at setting a career high in touchdown catches.
In 10 games, Kittle has totaled 50 receptions for 649 yards and eight touchdowns. He has not found the end zone in just three games all year, making him a solid candidate to find pay dirt. The Bears will need to account for him in both the run and pass game, as he's someone who can do it all.
4. DL Leonard Floyd
The Bears will get to see an old friend on Sunday. Defensive end Leonard Floyd, who was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, gets to face his old team once again. It's more than just a reunion, though. Floyd will be the most dangerous pass rusher the 49ers have this week, with Nick Bosa doubtful to play with multiple injuries.
The 32-year-old is second on the team in sacks with 6.5, to go with six tackles for loss and a forced fumble. 3.5 of those sacks and three tackles for loss came in the last three games alone. Floyd has plenty of length, and his quickness could be a problem for the Bears' tackles.
5. LB Fred Warner
Fred Warner is a freak of nature. You probably already knew that given his illustrious career up to this point that includes three All-Pro selections and 100+ tackle seasons, but he's going above and beyond in 2024. Warner recently revealed he has been playing through the majority of the season with a broken ankle. He suffered the injury in Week 4 but hasn't missed a single game. His play hasn't dropped off, either.
Through 12 games, Warner is on pace to match his season average in tackles and already has tied his career high for forced fumbles with four. Even though he's not 100%, you can expect him to be roving the field per usual and will be a factor in shutting down the Bears' rushing attack, which could be without starter D'Andre Swift. Warner will need to be accounted for on every play.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 Niners players to watch vs. Bears
