Nedney misses early field goal, leaving 49ers and Bears scoreless after first quarter

Bears, Niners scoreless after first quarter

SAN FRANCISCO — Joe Nedney missed a 39-yard field goal on San Francisco’s opening drive and the 49ers and Chicago Bears were tied 0-0 after the first quarter Thursday night.

The defenses had the early advantage in this important game between struggling teams. The Niners (3-5) had lost four straight and the Bears (4-4) had dropped three of their last four games, damaging their playoff hopes.

The game was especially notable because it marked the first time former Bears linebacker Mike Singletary was the head coach against his former team. Singletary had a Hall of Fame career during his 12 years in Chicago, winning two Defensive Player of the Year awards, being selected to 10 Pro Bowls and winning the Super Bowl following 1985 season.

San Francisco moved the ball well on its first possession, with Alex Smith connecting on two passes to rookie receiver Michael Crabtree. But Crabtree dropped a pass inside the 10 and Smith was sacked on third down by Tommie Harris, setting up Nedney’s 39-yard field goal attempt. Nedney’s kick was wide right — his first miss of the season from inside 40 yards.

San Francisco failed to get a first down on its next possession, punting on fourth-and-inches from its own 36. That was the Niners NFL-worst 37th three-and-out possession this season.

After the Bears failed to get a first down on their first two possessions, quarterback Jay Cutler got them moving late in the quarter. He completed three passes to tight end Greg Olsen to move the ball to the San Francisco 33 when the quarter ended.

Niners tight end Vernon Davis gave some added juice to the game when he said Tuesday: “I think we can destroy their front.” Davis and Bears defensive lineman Adewale Ogunleye got into a pregame jawing session and some of the Bears captains intentionally avoided shaking Davis’ hand before the coin toss.

Davis dealt out his own punishment when he bowled over Chicago linebacker Nick Roach, sending him out with an injury on his only catch of the quarter. Davis also committed a false start penalty.