The San Francisco 49ers throttled the Chicago Bears on Sunday, 38-13.
After back-to-back forgettable defensive performances in losses at the Green Bay Packers and at the Buffalo Bills, the 49ers returned home to Levi’s Stadium and put together a first-half performance for the ages.
San Francisco limited Chicago to four yards of total offense and one first down in the first half. Chicago’s four yards of offense were the fewest by any NFL team in a first half this season, while San Francisco’s 319 yards of offense were the most of any NFL team in a first half this season.
The 315-yard margin was the highest by a 49ers team in any half over the past 40 seasons.
Part of the recipe to create that level of dominance was San Francisco’s new combination of starting safeties in fourth-year pro Talanoa Hufanga and in rookie Malik Mustapha.
After missing the past seven games with a right wrist injury, Hufanga returned against the Bears and registered five tackles. Meanwhile, Mustapha tallied five tackles of his own.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mustapha registered 45 defensive snaps and Hufanga totaled 39. Former starting safety Ji’Ayir Brown tallied 15 defensive snaps.
On Monday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan shared why he opted in favor of Mustapha over Brown.
“Just how Malik’s been playing. I think he’s been playing at a high level. He’s been one of the better players on our defense, I think, here over the last month or so. So it’s nothing against Tig. We still want Tig to be out there, but when we had to make a decision, we kept Mustapha out there,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan was also pleased with the way Hufanga jumped right back into the fold for the 49ers.
“I thought he did a real good job. Loved having Huf back. Even the first play of the game, for him to get in on that tackle. His communication, everything, just helping the defense get lined up and stuff is extremely good and it was a real good first game for him,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan made it clear that the decision to pair Hufanga and Mustapha wasn’t an indictment on Brown’s production.
“No, I think it’s the same as last year. I think Tig’s playing like a good starting safety. We just, Huf’s been our guy there and has done some big things when he’s been healthy, as everyone knows with Huf.
“And Huf had a great week of practice and we wanted to get him on the field and we had to choose one guy to come off. So, we thought Mustapha had earned that over his play the last month to stay out there and we’re good with our decision,” Shanahan said.
As San Francisco (6-7) navigates a short week before its Thursday night date versus the Los Angeles Rams (7-6), the 49ers are hoping for good injury news with the aforementioned Mustapha.
Mustapha was a limited participant with a chest and shoulder ailment in San Francisco’s initial injury report versus the Rams.
Kickoff against Los Angeles is set for 5:15 p.m. PT in Santa Clara, Calif., with the game set to air on Prime Video.
