Why 49ers coaching is NFL's best this year, and Bears running wild: Week 7 film review

San Francisco keeps winning through savvy scheming despite major injuries, making them a strong ATS/moneyline play over middling opponents; Chicago’s run surge and D’Andre Swift’s revival boost Bears rushing props and lean unders vs. pass-heavy foes. Broncos’ Bo Nix remains volatile — avoid risky passing-prop bets after the comeback. Punters should favor matchup-driven plays over flashy storylines.

Week 7 NFL Recap: Coaching, Schemes and Late-Game Drama

The week delivered clutch comebacks, inventive play-calling and coaching staffs outmaneuvering opponents. The 49ers continue to win despite a long injury list, the Bears’ ground game has taken a dramatic step forward, and Bo Nix’s late surge for the Broncos raises more questions than certainties.

49ers Win Through Scheme and Adaptation

Injury-shortened roster, results unchanged

San Francisco is missing multiple starters but finds ways to win. Kyle Shanahan and the offensive staff adjusted their blocking concepts to attack Atlanta with a heavier gap scheme rather than their usual outside zone, producing more traction and Christian McCaffrey’s first 100-yard rushing game of the season.

Key play design and situational execution

On a second-and-5 early in the second quarter, a pre-snap motion by the fullback forced a defensive rotation. Shanahan used that rotation, pulling George Kittle across as a lead and letting Kyle Juszczyk seal the edge; McCaffrey followed the blocks into a crease for a big gain. Late in the fourth, on third-and-13, Shanahan exploited Atlanta’s Cover 3-cloud with an empty-set seam for McCaffrey; Mac Jones delivered the ball quickly for the conversion. That sequence showed the staff’s willingness to both break tendencies and script plays that target opponent tendencies.

Defense, prep and situational awareness

San Francisco’s staff scouted specific Falcons indicators and adjusted coverage and alignment accordingly. That prep helped a backup nickel corner break up a crucial fourth-down pass after recognizing a predictable motion-and-route combination. Attention to detail and in-game adjustments have masked the team’s health issues and kept them at 5-2.

Chicago Bears: Scheme-Driven Rush Revival

Numbers that jump off the page

The Bears have transformed their running game. After a sluggish start (3.8 yards per carry in the first four games), they’ve averaged 5.5 yards per carry over the last two, with a rushing success rate near the league’s best. Much of the uplift is schematic — Ben Johnson’s play designs — coupled with improved offensive line play and D’Andre Swift’s renewed vision.

Swift’s progress and a signature play

A wind-back concept with a fly-sweep fake created two layers of deception, allowing Swift to hit the edge and follow his lead blocker into space. Swift’s patience and improved reads have been noticeable; while he still can do better creating in open field, his vertical cuts and decisive reads have changed the Bears’ offensive profile.

Broncos’ Comeback and Bo Nix Reality Check

Bo Nix engineered a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, going 16-for-25 for 174 yards, two passing TDs and two rushing TDs in the final period. The Broncos erased a 19-point deficit, but much of the production came against soft, prevent-style coverage and short completions. Drops by receivers and favorable late-game conditions masked issues earlier in the game, and a couple of throws were fortunate rather than authoritative. The performance is encouraging but not definitive evidence that Nix has taken a major leap.

Coaching Verdicts and Tactical Takeaways

San Francisco’s staff — offense and defense — earns credit for scheming around injuries and exploiting opponent tendencies. Chicago’s coach-driven offensive identity is producing measurable results. Denver’s staff saw a resilient response, but the underlying concerns about its quarterback play persist.

Betting Implications

- San Francisco: Strong scheming and depth-tested resilience make the 49ers a reliable play ATS and on the moneyline against non-elite opponents; expect low variance in outcomes when opponents lack defensive discipline. - Chicago: Lean into Bears rushing props and game plans favoring the run. Unders are attractive when the opponent is pass-heavy or vulnerable to time-of-possession control. - Broncos/Bo Nix: Avoid high-stakes passing props and long-term QB prop bets until Nix shows consistent clean-pocket accuracy. Consider live-game opportunities when defenses switch to conservative looks late. - General: Use matchup data (run-defense rank, blitz rate, Cover-3 tendencies) rather than narratives when shaping wagers.

Bottom Line

This week highlighted the growing importance of scheme and coaching. The 49ers’ adaptability and the Bears’ schematic identity are the clearest sustainable trends; flashy comebacks like Denver’s deserve skepticism for betting purposes until underlying performance stabilizes.

Kyle Shanahan's staff is successfully scheming its way through an injury crisis en route to a 5-2 start.

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