49ers stock report after 15-14 Week 13 win over the Bears
By Peter Panacy
49ers Run Defense
The running game figured to be a key component behind any Bears success, so it fell on the 49ers to make any and all attempts to slow down No. 1 running back Jordan Howard.
And they did.
Howard was limited to just 38 yards on 13 carries — an average of just 2.9 yards per carry.
Overall, Chicago had only 62 yards on 19 carries during the game. Despite the Niners coming into Week 13 with the third most rushing yards allowed (1,425), they did boast the NFL’s ninth best in average-rush yards allowed per attempt (3.9).
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That number gets a bit better after the win over the Bears.
It’s notable, especially considering Pro Football Focus didn’t exactly give top game grades to defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (38.5) and linebacker Reuben Foster (74.6). But Foster was responsible for “cleaning up” a lot of the missed tackles and assignments in front of him, so make of that what you will.
Overall, though, San Francisco’s run defense has done a tremendous job compared to last season.
Next: The good, bad and ugly from 49ers' Week 13 win over Bears
And it’s a prime reason why the team was able to leave Chicago with a victory in hand.