49ers vs. Bears: San Francisco Grades, Notes and Quotes

The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears faced off in an ugly, poorly played contest at Soldier Field in Week 13 and found themselves locked into a 20-20 tie at the end of regulation, thanks to a missed field goal by the Bears with time expiring.

After an impressive game-tying touchdown run by quarterback Blaine Gabbert late in the fourth quarter, San Francisco subsequently gave up a 74-yard kickoff return on the following drive, which set up Chicago's game-winning field-goal attempt.

Thankfully for the 49ers' special teams coverage unit, the kick sailed wide and to the left.

This led to San Francisco's overtime win thanks to a 71-yard touchdown pass from Gabbert to wide receiver Torrey Smith to give the 49ers a 26-20 victory and their fourth win of the season.

Injuries were a major factor for the 49ers as the team lost tight end Vance McDonald (concussion) and linebackers Michael Wilhoite (ankle) and Aaron Lynch (concussion) to injuries during the contest.

The 49ers offensive woes also continued, minus a nice drive in the second quarter.

Despite the numerous mistakes, San Francisco was able to take advantage of the missed Chicago field goal and come away with its first road victory of the season.

Position Grades

Quarterback: B

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert didn't have the best passing game in his 49ers starting tenure, having completed 18 passes on 32 attempts for 196 yards, but his 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter helped tie the game at 20.

Gabbert was a factor on the ground with 75 net rushing yards.

Then there was his touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith to close out the game in overtime. 

Running Back: C

Running back Shaun Draughn continued his work-horse abilities but wasn't much of a factor on the ground with just 36 yards on 13 carries—an average of 2.8 yards per attempt plus a touchdown from one yard out.

But Draughn was a nice factor in the pass-catching game. He posted five receptions for 50 yards during the effort and was frequently used by Gabbert as a relief-valve option when San Francisco's receivers were covered up.

Wide Receiver: B

Veteran wideout Anquan Boldin crested 13,000 receiving yards during the fourth quarter.

But the home-run play came from fellow receiver Torrey Smith on a 71-yard game-winning touchdown. Smith, who had just two receptions on the day, led all receivers with 76 yards.

Despite being a relative non-factor for most of the contest, Smith's efforts came at the most critical time.

Tight End: D

Losing tight end Vance McDonald in the first half hindered San Francisco's offense given how he's emerged as one of Gabbert's favorite targets since taking over the starting role under center.

With fellow TE Garrett Celek (ankle) out, rookie tight end Blake Bell remained the lone option for Gabbert for the remainder of the contest. He had just one reception for five yards on three targets.

Offensive Line: D

Despite having center Daniel Kilgore active for the first time since Week 7 of the 2015 season, the 49ers continued to roll Marcus Martin out in a starting role. The second-year center continues to be a liability in pass protection, as he allowed two sacks.

Left tackle Joe Staley, who had some visible frustrations throughout, also had some problematic moments. 

Gabbert ended up being sacked four times for a net loss of 26 yards.

Defensive Line: C-

Tackling woes continue to be a problem for San Francisco's defense, and the 49ers defensive line had its own share of issues throughout the game.

Stopping running back Matt Forte and the Bears rushing game at the point of attack didn't exactly go according to plan as Chicago's featured back rushed for an average of 4.0 yards per carry and was able to consistently break tackles.

Linebacker: C+

The 49ers linebacker crop also had some issues with tackling. But injuries hampered San Francisco's efforts here as well with linebackers Aaron Lynch and Michael Wilhoite both being removed from the game.

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman led all 49ers with 14 tackles. Backup linebacker Gerald Hodges, filling in for Wilhoite, looks like he's a nice option to potentially start moving forward.

Defensive Back: B-

Cornerback Tramaine Brock had a forgettable performance, although rookie safety Jaquiski Tartt continued to show some promise. Tartt recorded seven tackles and also had a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler—San Francisco's lone takedown of the Chicago signal-caller.

Second-year defensive back Jimmie Ward recorded a pick-six interception, which marked the 49ers' first touchdown score in the first quarter this season.

Special Teams: D-

San Francisco's special teams unit had a couple of gaffes throughout the contest, including lining up only 10 players on one particular snap.

Rookie punter Bradley Pinion was busy with nine punts. Wide receiver Bruce Ellington remains an uncertain option in the return game.

And then there was the coverage mistake with less than two minutes in the game that allowed a 74-yard return by wide receiver Deonte Thompson.

Coaching: D+

Head coach Jim Tomsula's offense performed better on third downs in Chicago and converted seven third-downs on 16 attempts.

Still, the 49ers managed just 291 all-purpose yards on offense and struggled to move the ball with much efficiency. 

The Bears' own mistakes certainly aided San Francisco's victory fortunes and eventual outcome.

Injuries were a major factor for the 49ers during Week 13, and both sides of the ball lost notable contributors during the contest.

Tight end Vance McDonald, one of quarterback Blaine Gabbert's favorite targets, suffered a concussion as did outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, per the team's website.

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman also suffered what appeared to be a head injury but was later cleared to return to action.

According to Ryan Sakamoto of NinerFans.com, Lynch feels OK and will be "fine" moving forward. He'll still have to undergo the NFL's concussion protocol.

Fellow inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite suffered an ankle injury and was removed for backup linebacker Gerald Hodges.

Hodges finished the game with six tackles, one of which was for a loss.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert might have finished the game with an 84.9 passer rating, but his heroics late in regulation and in overtime are certainly a good sign moving forward.

Gabbert's poise is still a solid factor despite taking four sacks, and his 44-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to help tie the game at 20 is a perfect indication of his athleticism and decision-making process.

Despite having a number of overthrows throughout the game, Gabbert's overtime pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith couldn't have come at a better time. 

With quarterback Colin Kaepernick's future with the 49ers in doubt, Gabbert continues to make a case for the starting role in San Francisco in 2016 regardless of whether the franchise elects to draft a quarterback in the draft next year.

Prior to Week 13, all three of the 49ers' wins had come at Levi's Stadium. San Francisco hadn't scored more than 18 points in all but one of its road contests (Week 5 at New York Giants) this season.

The 49ers defense has also been problematic away from home. The 209 rushing yards allowed to Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls in Week 11 is a perfect example of the issues plaguing San Francisco this season while on the road.

Despite Chicago's impressive Thursday Night Football win over the Green Bay Packers a week ago, the 49ers were able to figure out a way to win despite a number of miscues and bad execution.

It didn't hurt to have two missed field goals from the Bears' Robbie Gould as well.

San Francisco will hope to continue its recent road fortunes when the team travels to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 14.

49ers CEO Jed York has been a primary target of fan frustrations this season, and he hasn't said much all year despite the flurry of distractions that have taken place since the offseason.

Last week, a towed banner was seen flying high above Levi's Stadium suggesting York and the 49ers should "mutually part ways"—comments emulating what was said when the franchise moved on from former head coach Jim Harbaugh following the 2014 season.

York tweeted out "very fun win" following San Francisco 26-20 victory in Chicago.

At least the responses and retweets will be entertaining.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith had been held to just one catch for five yards prior to his overtime heroics that gave San Francisco the win in Chicago.

Smith's deep-threat abilities haven't been used as much this season, although the 49ers' free-agent acquisition now has three big-play touchdown receptions on the year.

Still, Smith wasn't hesitant to credit the players around him.

"Guys made plays and we got the win," Smith said via 49ers.com. "That's the most important thing."

Smith's 71-yard touchdown reception gave him in the lead out of all 49ers receivers for total receiving yards in the game.

It came at the perfect time, too.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert continues to do enough under center and now has two wins to his credit as San Francisco's starter.

"He keeps stepping up and the group keeps stepping up with him," head coach Jim Tomsula said of Gabbert, via the team's website. "That's really encouraging."

Despite problems along San Francisco's offensive line—four sacks allowed, two of which from center Marcus Martin—and a solid effort from Chicago's strong secondary and pass rush, Gabbert was able to maintain his efficient ways en route to the 49ers win.

"It was crazy, emotional highs and lows," Gabbert noted via 49ers.com. "Ultimately playing clutch football and coming away with a victory."

Gabbert had a 91.0 passer rating entering the contest and, while that number will drop a bit after a 84.9 rating in Week 13, the quarterback continues to be a positive for San Francisco's struggling offense.

He'll have a chance to continue his efforts in Cleveland when the 49ers face the Browns next week.

All statistics, injury reports, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist covering the San Francisco 49ers for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.