SB Nation Bay Area - 49ers vs. Bears: San Francisco dominant in 32-7 victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-11-21T13:01:10-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34182972012-11-21T13:01:10-08:002012-11-21T13:01:10-08:00Aldon Smith named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
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<figcaption>Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After a historic performance on Monday Night Football, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.</p> <p><span>Aldon Smith's</span> 5.5 sacks against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> set a record for Monday Night Football, and on Wednesday the NFL announced that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> linebacker <a href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Aldon-Smith-named-NFC-Defensive-Player-o?blockID=804645&feedID=2800" target="_blank">was named as the NFC Player of the Week</a>. The honor comes as no surprise, and what's more impressive for the second-year pro is where those 5.5 sacks place him historically.</p>
<p>The big game gave Smith the most sacks by any NFL player thus far this season. At 29 on the year, that's two more sacks than <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> linebacker <span>Von Miller</span>, who last year topped Smith as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year winner.</p>
<p>Where Smith stands through 26 games as a pro is even more impressive. Right now, he sits behind only Reggie White and Derrick Thomas for the number of sacks through a players' first two seasons. White had 31 sacks and Thomas recorded 30.</p>
<p>And with 29 sacks in his NFL career, Smith still has six more games to surpass White and Thomas.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/21/3676970/49ers-vs-bears-aldon-smith-awardKevin Zimmerman2012-11-21T05:03:17-08:002012-11-21T05:03:17-08:0049ers vs Bears: Kaep, Aldon too much for Bears
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>The 2011 draft class was on display in prime-time against the Chicago Bears. One of the best defenses in the league was beaten early and often, while the 49ers defense cemented their case for being No. 1.</p> <p> </p>
<p>The national news media is abuzz about Colin Kaepernick. I'm abuzz about Colin Kaepernick. There's no doubt about it, he played a magnificent game against the Chicago Bears, one of the most opportunistic defenses in recent memory and a team that was second in the league in scoring defense coming into the game. Conventional wisdom said that the 49ers would use a conservative gameplan (my preview article had the running game as being key, though I would like it noted that the 49ers won the ground war 121 yards - 85 yards, thus propelling them to victory) and attempt at all costs to avoid costly turnovers against the Bears. Good thing Coach Harbaugh calls the shots in San Francisco and not the conventionally wise ones.</p>
<p>The 49ers, perhaps feeling unthreatened by a toothless Bears offense led by Jason Campbell, perhaps knowing something that none of us suspected, unleashed the offense against the surprisingly overmatched Chicago defense. Kaepernick was as good as one could ever hope a quarterback making his first career start could be. He completed 16 of 23 passes for a fraction under 70% on the day, with two touchdowns. The scrambling 'wildKaep' quarterback we've watched sporadically throughout the season was nowhere to be found. In his stead was a poised and confident QB with complete command of his offense. At no point did he look overwhelmed by the moment and he led the 49ers to 20 points on the first four drives of the game.</p>
<p>Just how good was Colin Kaepernick in this game? He was so good that he's stirred up a quarterback controversy in San Francisco between him and Alex Smith, the team's regular starter, who completed 25 of 27 passes for 4 touchdowns over his last game and a half before leaving last week's Rams contest with a concussion. Smith was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in his last full game, so how can this be? Firstly, Coach Harbaugh did him no favors by not stating unequivocally that Smith would be the starter when healthy. That's the protocol in coachspeak, but as we know, Harbaugh doesn't play by everyone else's rules and perhaps he's trying to keep the Niners' week 12 opponents, the New Orleans Saints guessing. Secondly, Kaepernick made some throws that Alex Smith has never made since coming to town in 2005. Kyle Williams, with a step on nickelback Kelvin Hayden and running a deep corner route, received a perfectly thrown ball that travelled 40 yards in the air (by my calculations) hitting him perfectly in stride. Vernon Davis also benefitted from the more vertical passing attack, catching passes of 22 and 32 yards among his 6 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. The final touchdown of the game for the 49ers was a beautiful pass to Michael Crabtree after he'd broken free in end zone. Kaepernick moved out of the pocket to create time and put the ball where only he could catch it. It's a play that more often than not results in a sack and a field goal with Alex Smith under center.</p>
<p>On the other side of the ball, the 49ers defense was just as dominant, albeit against a less formidable foe. The Bears, without Jay Cutler at quarterback, were unable to get anything happening against the 49ers. Matt Forte rushed for 63 yards on 21 carries and Jason Campbell made everyone painfully aware of why he never caught on in Washington or Oakland. Campbell was under constant duress playing behind the worst offensive line in the league when it comes to protecting the quarterback. The 49ers finished with 6 sacks on the night and seemed to hit Campbell, get in his face, or knock him down on every attempt, pressuring him to throw two interceptions. Aldon Smith finished with an otherworldly 5.5 sacks, moving him into the league lead with 15 and putting him on pace for what would be a record 24 sacks. One might have to add an asterisk to the record book, since over a fifth of them will have come at the expense of the Bears' beleaguered O-line.</p>
<p>What does this all mean? Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke's first draft class, the 2011 haul, is showing itself to be a franchise turning cache of talent. The top two picks for the 49ers were Aldon Smith and Colin Kaepernick. Further down the list we have Chris Culliver, an integral part of the pass defense as the nickelback and Kendall Hunter, primary backup in the running game. Hunter, averaging over 5 yards per carry on the year, had a perfectly drawn up 14-yard run to score the 49ers' second touchdown. I like how Hunter cradled the ball with both hands while crossing the goal line with Bears' safety Chris Conte on his back. Good situational football against a Bears defense known for stripping the ball. By not attempting to stretch the ball out, he risked not scoring, but the 49ers would still have had the ball at the 1-yard line, first-and-goal. The right move from a well-coached team.</p>
<p>With the 2011 draft paying dividends in a major way, it gives Harbaugh and Baalke more benefit of the doubt in regards to their 2012 class which has hardly sniffed the field this season. Weapons A.J. Jenkins and LaMichael James were brought in for a reason. I'm guessing it has something to do with Colin Kaepernick keeping plays alive and finding either of those two open for big gains once coverage breaks down. The touchdown to Crabtree comes to mind. We learned a lot about the 2012 49ers in this game, but we also got a good glimpse at what to expect in the future.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/2012/11/21/3674724/49ers-vs-bears-colin-kaepernick-aldon-smith-too-much-for-bearsAaron Malone2012-11-20T17:55:20-08:002012-11-20T17:55:20-08:00Aldon Smith the best defensive player in NFL?
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<figcaption>Jed Jacobsohn</figcaption>
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<p>The San Francisco 49ers linebacker now leads the NFL in sacks after racking up 5.5 more on Monday.</p> <p>Everyone in San Francisco knew linebacker <span>Aldon Smith</span> was good at what he does, but on Monday night's 32-7 victory over the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> the whole nation bore witness as well.</p>
<p>Smith was highlighting the defensive praise following the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a> shut down of the Bears as the linebacker tallied up 5.5 sacks, seven tackles, two forced fumbles and seven quarterback hits - all done in 48 snaps.</p>
<p>The 49ers first-round pick of the 2011 draft has really come into his own in his second season in the league, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/49ers-defensive-review-The-Aldon-Smith-S?blockID=804323&feedID=5936">and as Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area writes,</a> should be on everyone's candidate list for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.</p>
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<p>Smith was certainly not alone, as far as defensive standouts, but he stood above the rest and should now be considered on any short list of candidates for NFL Defensive Player of the Year with six games remaining.</p>
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<p>Smith leads the league in sacks at 15.0 and set the Monday Night Football record for most sacks in a game against the Bears. He has especially turned it up as of late, averaging six tackles and three-plus sacks over his last three games. Smith has 29 total sacks in his first 26 NFL games, <a target="_blank" href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/20/aldon-smith-wants-von-miller-to-know-who-leads-the-league-in-sacks/">the most any player has ever compiled in their career</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/20/3673702/aldon-smith-forcing-way-into-defensive-player-of-the-year-conversationPeter Woodbrook2012-11-20T17:02:37-08:002012-11-20T17:02:37-08:0049ers top five team, Raiders bottom five
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The San Francisco 49ers are a top-five team in the latest NFL power rankings, and the Oakland Raiders are in the bottom five.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> are headed in opposite directions, and the latest NFL power rankings reports seem to reflect that.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/11/20/3669888/nfl-power-rankings-week-12-49ers" target="_blank">In SB Nation's latest rankings</a>, San Francisco moved up from 8th to 3rd. After struggling last week with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a> (with the game eventually ending in a tie), the 49ers righted the ship with a blowout victory, and they moved back up the rankings.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings" target="_blank">In ESPN's latest power rankings</a>, the 49ers moved up one spot from 4th to 3rd after an impressive Monday night performance.<a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/powerrankings" target="_blank"> Ditto with CBS</a>, who were really impressed with how <span>Colin Kaepernick</span> performed in the starting role. <br><br>The Raiders just aren't going anywhere, but they're already near the bottom of the latest rankings. Oakland sticks at 28th in ESPN's power rankings after getting drubbed once again by the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a>. They also remain at 28th in SB Nation's rankings as their overwhelmed defense got run over by the New Orleans offense, and stay at 29th in CBS's rankings.</p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/20/3673486/2012-nfl-power-rankings-week-12Avinash Kunnath2012-11-20T09:38:54-08:002012-11-20T09:38:54-08:00Do the Niners have a QB controversy?
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<p>Colin Kaepernick may have shaken things up in San Francisco with his play against the Bears.</p> <p><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> quarterback Alex Smith wasn't cleared to play by a neurologist against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a> on Monday, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14842/colin-kaepernick" class="sbn-auto-link">Colin Kaepernick</a> stepped into his starting role and made it look easy. Now it seems that head coach Jim Harbaugh has a controversy at the quarterback position.</p>
<p>Harbaugh didn't do much to put down the oncoming controversy flames, as he merely said that he would go with the "hot hand" at quarterback. He also said that he has two quarterbacks with "hot hands."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/For-SF-this-is-a-full-blown-QB-controver?blockID=804107&feedID=2800" target="_blank">Ray Rotto of CSN Bay Area</a> believes there is no denying that a quarterback battle now exists in San Francisco, and believes that Harbaugh's comments after the game were telling:</p>
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<p>In short, Harbaugh raved about Kaepernick. But, and we cannot stress this too much, he has raved about Smith in his time, too. Harbaugh raves easily, even if all he’s doing is trying to smother a story.</p>
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<p>Kaepernick's numbers against one of the NFL's best defenses are hard to ignore. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Smith has been impressive himself, connecting on 70 percent of his throws with 13 touchdowns to just five interceptions.</p>
<p>Both have made it easy for Harbaugh to "rave," but he still has a decision to make this week.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/20/3671522/49ers-vs-saints-alex-smith-colin-kaepernick-controversyCraig Powers2012-11-20T05:02:23-08:002012-11-20T05:02:23-08:0049ers defense clamps down Bears
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>The San Francisco 49ers used a lockdown defensive effort to beat up the Chicago Bears.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> got a great performance out of <span>Colin Kaepernick</span> to help beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. Kaepernick was able to move the football for most of the first half and pace San Francisco to a 20-0 halftime lead, and the 49ers cruised from there.</p>
<p>As great as Kaepernick was for the 49ers in completing nearly 70% of his passes and throwing two touchdowns, it was the San Francisco defense that truly shined. The 49ers allowed only 2.6 yards per play against the Bears. They allowed Jason Campbell to throw for only 107 yards on the game, sacking him six times for 49 yards. <span>NaVorro Bowman</span> led the 49ers with 12 tackles, and <span>Patrick Willis</span> had a strong performance with six tackles and two pass deflections. <span>Aldon Smith</span> had an incredible performance with 5.5 sacks on the game.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2012/11/19/3669854/49ers-vs-bears-recap-nfc-playoff-picture"></a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2012/11/19/3669854/49ers-vs-bears-recap-nfc-playoff-picture">Here is more of a recap for San Francisco fans at Niners Nation</a>.</p>
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<p>The 49ers defense as a whole hopefully learned something from a rather piss-poor first quarter effort against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a>. The defense came out with something to prove, and even though <span>Jason Campbell</span> is no <span>Jay Cutler</span>, the 49ers defense made their own statement. The Bears could get nothing going and it was pretty spectacular to watch. Now we just need to see the 49ers defense maintain this focus every week.</p>
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<p>The 49ers are now at 7-2-1 and stand in good position to win the NFC West.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/20/3670096/49ers-vs-bears-2012Avinash Kunnath2012-11-20T04:15:08-08:002012-11-20T04:15:08-08:00Vernon Davis quote has nothing to do with QB sitch
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>After the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Chicago Bears, tight end Vernon Davis had a quote that might be getting misconstrued around the Internet.</p> <p>Following the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>' 32-7 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> on <i>Monday Night Football, </i>everyone was talking about the play of quarterback <span>Colin Kaepernick</span>. Head coach Jim Harbaugh didn't particularly help things along, by neglecting to confirm that Alex Smith would return as the starter against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> in 2012.</p>
<p>This was further elevated by a quote from tight end <span>Vernon Davis</span>, in which he said it felt like someone took the handcuffs off of him. Coupled with the lack of raining on Keapernick's parade, many are taking Davis' quote to mean that he's more satisfied with the young gun under center.</p>
<p>Of course, the reality is quite a bit different. Now, I didn't ask Davis myself, but it's pretty clear to me that Davis is, if anything, talking about the gameplan. The coaches felt they had some great matchups with Davis and they sent him out to receive, rather than kept him in to block. The change from Smith to Kaepernick didn't change the way they used Davis. No, that was just what Chicago was giving them.</p>
<p>Davis gave a kind of quote that we often see from players who have breakout games. "It feels like the handcuffs have been removed," is analogous to "it feels like a weight has been lifted." There's no story here, other than the fact that Davis had a big game and is stoked about it.</p>
<p>As for the quarterback controversy? My money is on Harbaugh playing up the controversy to keep the Saints on their toes, but who knows?</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/20/3669760/49ers-vs-bears-score-vernon-davis-colin-kaepernickJames Brady2012-11-19T20:46:39-08:002012-11-19T20:46:39-08:0049ers vs. Bears: Postgame notes from SF win
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>The San Francisco 49ers dominated the Chicago Bears from start to finish on <em>Monday Night Football</em>.</p> <p>Following a horrible - just horrible - tie against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Rams</a>, the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a> came out and absolutely dominated the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a>, with rookie quarterback <span>Colin Kaepernick</span> at the helm. But before you suggest that the fact the Bears were starting <span>Jason Campbell</span> is the reason that they lost, keep in mind that this team's trength is its defense, and in the 32-7 loss, it was hard to tell.</p>
<p>Below, I've got some random postgame notes and the like that I took while watching the game. Nothing terribly in-depth, but they're observations and things of that nature. Unedited, of course. Be sure to take to the comments or Tweet me at <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/JamesBradySBN">@J</a><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/JamesBradySBN">amesBradySBN</a> for any .gifs you'd like from the game.</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Jon Gruden gets on my nerves over the course of an entire broadcast, but he had a good line pretty early on: "<span>Major Wright</span> can't cover <span>Vernon Davis</span>." Neither can <span>Lance Briggs</span>. Or Nick Roach. That's a true fact of life right there, folks. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Chicago was stacking the box from the very beginning, and the 49ers threw the ball instead. Unfortunately, they didn't really commit to it and kept running into nine in the box defensive fronts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Defensive tackle <span>Isaac Sopoaga</span> got thrown around again in this one, and it's a big reason as to why the 49ers haven't been able to work the run. They're not among the worst in the NFL at it or anything, but they're no longer the best.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><span>Frank Gore</span> is stupidly good in pass protection. <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1310569/footballgore.gif">Just look at this</a>. Look at that right now.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Great ball security by Colin Kaepernick. He doesn't hold the ball out there when he runs like many scrambling quarterbacks, and he took a nasty sack in the first half and held on just fine.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">That was a horrible call late in the third quarter, when the 49ers were called for an illegal block in the back as the Bears player swatted the ball out of bounds. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Of course Brandon Marshall was going to get a touchdown. Are you joking? I mean, the referees helped them along there, but Marshall is one of the best in the NFL.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Legitimately shocking to see the <span>Michael Crabtree</span> not convert a first down on that third down reception late in the game. He's been so good with the YAC lately, it just seems like a given sometime.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Kaepernick only ran the ball a few times, and was primarily a pocket passer for this one. Neat!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Intentional grounding was called in the end zone and then the referees called it fourth down instead of a safety. Weird.</span></li>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/49ers/2012/11/19/3668924/49ers-vs-bears-score-recap-postgame-notesJames Brady