Chicago Bears' defense still working on reputation

As well as the Chicago Bears' defense has played recently, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee doesn't believe it has earned much of a reputation yet.

"People can look at us all they want to, but we ain't got no reputation yet because I'm looking at it like, (teams) think they can run the ball on us," McPhee said. "But now it's time for us to show people that they ain't gonna run the ball."

The Bears' defense is 29th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in average gain allowed per run. The 49ers are 20th in rushing yards and 23rd in average gain per run play.

Because of the foot injury to 2014 second-round running back Carlos Hyde, Shaun Draughn, who was cut by the Bears last year, is the 49ers' featured back.

Draughn was signed by the 49ers as a street free agent Nov. 2 after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns Oct. 20.

"They're coming in with a team that's got a hard-running running back," McPhee said. "We know he's got a chip on his shoulder right now.

"He wasn't playing six weeks ago, so now he's coming in like he's got the starting position and he's going to keep it, and that's how he's running the football."

Sharing the load:

Undrafted rookie linebacker Jonathan Anderson got two starts while Shea McClellin was out for three games with a knee injury, and he has continued to get playing time after McClellin's return.

Some of Anderson's snaps have come in a time share with Christian Jones, who nevertheless leads the Bars with 77 tackles.

"They're both doing fine," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "We're trying to play them both. It depends upon the nature of the game, how much nickel we're playing vs. (how much) base.

"We're trying to get them both in there and we've been pleased with that rotation."

Anderson is the better player in passing situations and has 1 of the Bears' 6 interceptions along with 3 pass breakups. He's eighth on the team with 31 tackles.

Been there, done that:

The 49ers have struggled under first-year head coach Jim Tomsula, especially on the road, where they're 0-5 and have lost games by 16, 21, 40 and 25 points.

Bears coach John Fox knows what that's like. In his first year as a head coach, with Carolina, the Panthers won their first three games but then lost eight straight, averaging fewer than 11 points per game.

"The more you do it, the better you get," Fox said. "But I can sympathize. I wasn't real excited about it my very first year. But we did manage to win four out of our last five. And that was helpful in building some momentum for the next season.

"You're kind of winging it (in the beginning), so you just plug through it, and we were able to do that and ended up decent. We were 7-9. Didn't have a winning record."

The following year the Panthers went 11-5 and made it to the Super Bowl.

Making an impression:

NIU product Jimmie Ward was the 49ers' first-round draft pick in 2014 (30th overall), and he has started four games as their nickel cornerback this season.

"I absolutely love that guy," 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said. "I love the way he comes to work every day, I love the smile on his face. Jimmy Ward'll take every (scout)-team rep if you let him.

"He just wants to be out playing football. Very much engaged with his teammates in the locker room. You see his love of the game, his passion for the game. Jimmy just keeps developing."

After playing in just eight games as a rookie with no starts, the 5-foot-11, 193-pound Ward is 10th on the team with 42 tackles this year.

"He's a fighter, you know?" Tomsula said. "He doesn't blink, and he's working his tail off. Jimmie is one of those guys that's in with his questions every morning and finding a coach.

"He's just studying, studying, working, working and continues to improve."