Biggest Takeaways from San Francisco 49ers' Week 13 Win

The first major takeaway from the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 13 win on Sunday? They probably should have lost.

The Chicago Bears outplayed the Niners in all phases of that game—offense, defense and special teams. The San Francisco offense scored just 14 points during regulation, the defense gave up a whopping 170 rushing yards, and special teams gave up a 74-yard kick return that should have set up the game-ending field goal.

But Bears kicker Robbie Gould missed a 36-yard chip shot—his second miss of the afternoon—and the Niners won in overtime, 26-20. It was a fluke win but a win nonetheless. A win is a win is a win.

Here are five more takeaways from the 49ers’ Week 13 victory at Soldier Field.

The 49ers Defense Is Improving

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

To say the Niners defense is improving is not to say it's great. It’s making progress.

It still struggles stopping the run on the road. Sunday against the Bears, starting inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite injured his ankle and left the game. His replacement, Gerald Hodges, over-ran play after play.

That kind of mistake is to be expected from a replacement player who wants to impress. The rest of the Niners’ young defense is starting to play sound football as its members gain experience together.

At the beginning of the season, the Niners’ zone pass coverage was a joke because many of the young defenders were playing together for the first time. They didn’t know where their teammates would be. Now, the zone defense is improving as the players are growing accustomed to each other.

The 49ers Very Well Could Finish the Season with a 7-9 Record

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If Robbie Gould had made the easy field goal at the end of the fourth quarter, the Niners' record would be 3-9.

But, Gould didn’t make that field goal. And Torrey Smith did make a game-winning touchdown catch in overtime. That means the Niners’ record is 4-8. Looking at the rest of their schedule, it seems plausible—maybe even probable—they will win three of their last four games and finish with a record of 7-9.

Week 14 in Cleveland against the 2-10 Browns: probably a win.

Week 15 at home against the 10-2 Cincinnati Bengals: probably a loss, although the Niners defense plays great at Levi's Stadium. This game could be closer than you think.

Week 16 in Detroit against the 4-8 Lions: possibly a win. It's a toss-up.

Week 17 at home against the St. Louis Rams: probably a win. The Rams have lost five in a row, and their record on the road is 1-5.

The 49ers Probably Will Miss Out on the Top Draft Prospects

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The Niners were in position to have the fifth pick in the draft before beating the Bears.

With that pick, they could have taken one of the best prospects in the draft, such as offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil from Ole Miss, cornerback Jalen Ramsey from Florida State or quarterback Jared Goff from California.

After beating the Bears, the Niners can forget about drafting any of those guys. Now, they have to hope a top prospect falls to them, a prospect such as wide receiver Laquon Treadwell from Ole Miss, Vernon Hargreaves III from Florida or quarterback Connor Cook from Michigan State.

Was winning really worth it?

Blaine Gabbert Almost Certainly Will Be the Starting Quarterback Next Season

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If Blaine Gabbert failed against the Bears, the Niners would have been out of options at quarterback—would have been forced to spend a first-round draft pick on a quarterback and play him right away. We’re talking Alex Smith redux.

But Gabbert played well against the Bears. He committed no turnovers and kept the Niners in the game until the very end. Then he took over—first with a beautiful 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and then with a perfect 71-yard game-winning touchdown pass in overtime.

Now, the Niners are 2-2 with Gabbert at quarterback. He almost certainly will be the starter next season, so whichever quarterback the Niners draft probably will sit on the bench and develop.

This is good news.

Jim Tomsula Almost Certainly Will Be the Head Coach Next Season

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Robbie Gould probably saved head coach Jim Tomsula’s job.

If Gould had made the game-winning 36-yard field goal at the end of regulation, Tomsula would have lost to two coaches he beat out for the 49ers’ head coaching position—offensive coordinator Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. That's a bad look.

But, by beating those two, Tomsula can argue he was the right man for the job all along. He can argue he inherited a bad team and is doing a better job with it than most could. He might be right. He has a compelling argument.

The Niners probably will give Tomsula at least one full season with Blaine Gabbert as the starting quarterback to see how many games those two can win together.

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