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Exactly how you'd thought it'd play out, right?
The Bears had a hard time getting anything established on offense in the first half, and a punt blocked early on deep in their own territory set the 49ers up for an easy short touchdown to take an early lead. The Niners added a field goal and a Frank Gore touchdown run to take an early 17-0 lead in the second quarter; only a Brandon Marshall touchdown with thirteen seconds left in the half made the score 17-7 at the half.
The third quarter added another Phil Dawson field goal, but early in the fourth quarter, the Bears started to strike back, on offense and defense. Brandon Marshall picked up his second touchdown of the day early in the period; on the very next play, Colin Kaepernick was picked off by Kyle Fuller and returned to the three yard line; a quick Martellus Bennett touchdown gave the Bears the lead at 21-20. They added another touchdown off a second interception by Fuller, Kaepernick's third of the day, on Marshall's third touchdown. The Niners drove at the end, but Kaepernick's fourth-down pass clanked off Michael Crabtree's hands.
The Bears didn't escape from San Francisco unscathed, as their defense was hit hard by the injury bug. Jeremiah Ratliff suffered a concussion; Chris Conte injured his shoulder; Sherrick McManis and Trevor Scott also suffered injuries. But the big blow is probably Charles Tillman, who suffered a triceps injury - if it's anything similar to the triceps injury that knocked him out last year, his season (and career) may be at its end.
The Bears head into next week at 1-1, only in a way nobody could have realistically predicted. We'll have injury updates for you as the coming days go, as well as Notes in the morning.
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Bears Quick Stats:
Jay Cutler: 23/34, 176 yards, 4 TD - 119.2 passer rating; 3 carries, 27 yards
Brandon Marshall: 5 receptions, 48 yards, 3 TD
Alshon Jeffery: 3 receptions, 47 yards
Matt Forte: 12 carries, 21 yards; 5 receptions, 15 yards
Martellus Bennett: 7 receptions, 37 yards, TD
49ers Quick Stats:
Colin Kaepernick: 21/34, 248 yards, TD, 3 INT - 57.0 passer rating; 9 carries, 66 yards
Frank Gore: 13 carries, 63 yards, TD; 2 receptions, 12 yards
Michael Crabtree: 7 receptions, 82 yards, TD
Vernon Davis: 3 receptions, 39 yards