SAN FRANCISCO – Although Thursday night’s performance was a monumental improvement over their previous outing, members of the Bears defense weren’t patting themselves on the back following a disheartening 10-6 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.

“We lost both games,” said defensive end Alex Brown. “It doesn’t matter. A loss is a loss. It still goes down as a loss. It doesn’t matter how you play. We’ve got to win the game. That’s what matters.”

Alex Brown pressures 49ers quarterback Alex Smith in the Bears' 10-6 loss Thursday night.

After allowing the Cardinals to score four touchdowns and two field goals on their first six possessions in last Sunday’s 41-21 debacle at Soldier Field, the Bears limited the 49ers to one TD and one field goal.

The stingy defense gave up San Francisco’s only touchdown after a Jay Cutler interception was returned to the Chicago 14, and forced the 49ers to settle for a field goal after they had first-and-goal at the 6.

“I thought the defensive players did a good job of controlling [the 49ers] for most of the night,” said coach Lovie Smith.

After permitting touchdowns on their opponent’s opening possession in five of their last seven games, the Bears stopped the 49ers on their first drive when Tommie Harris sacked Alex Smith on third-and-seven from the Chicago 14. Joe Nedney then followed by hooking a 39-yard field goal wide right.

In the second quarter, Zackary Bowman registered his team-leading third interception—and second in as many games. In the third period, Adewale Ogunleye and Lance Briggs teamed up to stuff Smith on a fourth-and-one quarterback sneak at the Chicago 39.

Still, it wasn’t enough.

“We didn’t get the job done as a defense, as a team, because we didn’t win,” Brown said. “The whole purpose is to win; not to play well and lose. Who cares about that? We care about winning. That’s it.”

Last chance: Trailing 10-6, the Bears had one final opportunity from the San Francisco 12 with :08 remaining in the game. The Bears sent four receivers on vertical routes, and Cutler’s pass intended for tight end Greg Olsen was intercepted by safety Michael Lewis.

“We were getting four guys in the end zone,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner, “trying to get Greg and Earl [Bennett] in the end zone with some separation, trying to read the safety and see what they’re playing. Greg came in and slid back out. [Cutler] stepped up in the pocket and tried to go to Greg.”

Aches and pains: Bowman (abdomen), tight end Desmond Clark (neck) and left tackle Orlando Pace (head) exited Thursday night’s game with injuries. Corey Graham replaced Bowman, Kellen Davis filled in for Clark, and Kevin Shaffer stepped in for Pace.

“Those injuries hurt us a little bit,” Smith said. “But I thought the guys that came in did a decent job.”

Safeties Al Afalava (shoulder) and Kevin Payne (back), and running back Garrett Wolfe (back) were inactive because of injuries. Veteran Josh Bullocks started in place of Afalava at strong safety.

Trends continue: The Bears have now lost seven straight games in San Francisco, last winning on the road against the 49ers in their 1985 Super Bowl season. Prior to Thursday night, the Bears had dropped their six previous contests in San Francisco by scores of 41-0, 26-0, 52-14, 44-15, 17-0 and 49-7. The home team has now won the last 10 games between the two franchises dating back to 1989.