The 49ers had 1:14 to score a possible go-ahead touchdown and escape Sunday with a comeback victory against one of the best teams in the NFC.
But quarterback Nick Mullens didn’t give his team that chance to beat the Chicago Bears (11-4) because of a crucial mistake on fourth and 4. San Francisco fell 14-9, ending their mini two-game winning streak and closing the season 4-4 at Levi’s Stadium.
Mullens, who rolled right after feeling pressure up the middle, had an open running lane up the right sideline. But instead of taking it, where it appeared he could have gained some 20 yards and gotten out of bounds, he threw long to Marquise Goodwin near the goal line.