The Bears rediscovered their running game Sunday at Soldier Field, rushing for 170 yards, their most since the season opener. But it wasn't enough to prevent a crushing overtime loss to the 49ers.
The ground attack was a group effort as Kyle Long rushed for 84 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries, Jeremy Langford gained 59 yards on 12 attempts and Ka'Deem Carey ran for 17 yards and one TD on five carries.
"I feel like we all ran the ball well out there today," Langford said. "But me personally, I wish I could have done something better to help the team win, break a couple longer runs. At the end of the day, you just want to win."
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Big hit:** Jay Cutler passed concussion protocol and didn't miss a play after being slammed on his head and shoulder by safety Jaquiski Tartt on a fourth-quarter sack.
"He got me pretty good," Cutler said after the game. "I got up from the play. We went through the protocol. I had no problems. I talked to the doctors again. I feel fine at this point."
After shaking off the big hit, Cutler engineered a six-play, 83-yard drive that was capped by Carey's 4-yard TD run, his first NFL touchdown. The score was set up by Cutler completions of 30 yards to Alshon Jeffery and 26 yards to Marc Mariani on back-to-back plays.
"We were in a mode where we needed to score," Cutler said. "Some guys made some big plays on the outside and we were able to punch one in. It's a shame we couldn't finish the game, though."
Flag parade: The Bears committed eight penalties for 72 yards. None was costlier than a holding call against LaRoy Reynolds that wiped out Bryce Callahan's apparent 65-yard punt return TD.
The penalty came on a trick play in the first quarter. The Bears acted as if the punt was going to Mariani near the right sideline, but it actually went to Callahan along the left sideline. He headed up field and was in the clear when Reynolds pulled the arm of the 49ers' Kendall Gaskins.
The play was similar to one the Bears ran in a 2011 loss to the Packers—with the same result. In that game, Johnny Knox scored on an 89-yard return, but it was nullified by a holding penalty against Corey Graham.
Home cooking: While the Bears are 4-2 on the road this season, they fell to 1-5 at home with Sunday's loss.
"We have to show up every Sunday, home, away, it doesn't even matter on the moon," said outside linebacker Willie Young. "We still have to play ball and get that win. That's what it comes down to. I know we want to get that win for the fans and all. But it doesn't matter where we're at."
On the shelf: Receivers Marquess Wilson (foot) and Eddie Royal (knee), safety Antrel Rolle (knee) and defensive lineman Bruce Gaston (illness) missed Sunday's game. Cornerback Jacoby Glenn, running back Antone Smith and guard/tackle Nick Becton also were inactive.
News and notes: The Bears remain the only NFL team that has not scored a touchdown in the third quarter this season. ... Sunday's game was tied after all four quarters. It was also the only contest the Bears have played this season that was knotted after three periods. ... Thanks to an interception for a touchdown, the 49ers had more points (6) than yards (5) in the first quarter. ... The Bears failed to record a takeaway Sunday for the fifth time in 12 games this season. ... The Bears held a 37:24-24:46 edge in time of possession.
