NFC 49ers roll past Bears in debut for Erickson

The defense and special teams were the difference in a 49-7 rout.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The San Francisco 49ers were definitely more aggressive in Dennis Erickson's debut.
But to everyone's surprise, some of their biggest plays came while the new coach's high-powered offense was on the sidelines.
Ahmed Plummer returned an interception 68 yards for a score, and Jimmy Williams and Brandon Lloyd made exceptional special-teams plays to propel the 49ers to a 49-7 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Erickson was hired to spark San Francisco's offense -- and sure, the usual suspects had outstanding games in the 49ers' biggest victory since 1989.
Jeff Garcia passed for 229 yards and two TDs, running for another score. Terrell Owens had seven catches for 112 yards, Tai Streets made a gritty touchdown reception and Garrison Hearst caught a TD pass and rushed for a score.
Five turnovers
But the 49ers won by forcing five turnovers and holding the Bears' inept offense to 127 yards. San Francisco blocked a punt, forced a fumble on a punt return and intercepted Kordell Stewart three times -- two by Plummer.
"We've got the team speed and the talent to do something like that every week," Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson said. "I love to play that way, when we're aggressive and going after everything they do. It's a great feeling."
The 49ers took a 33-7 halftime lead with their biggest offensive output in a half since 1992, and Erickson left nearly all of his starters in to finish two fourth-quarter drives in a move that was sure to please Owens, who complained about the 49ers' lack of a killer instinct under Steve Mariucci.
In the locker room afterward, Owens and defensive coordinator Jim Mora presented Erickson with the game ball.
"To be honest, you can't ask for a better start," Erickson said. "We blitzed a lot, we came after them ... and everybody did their job. It was a great team effort."
The Bears were finished early in their worst defeat since a 47-0 loss at Houston on Nov. 6, 1977. Chicago foundered at every level in Stewart's first game since leaving Pittsburgh as a free agent.
Stewart struggles
Stewart, who infuriated Steelers fans for eight years with erratic performances, went 14-of-34 for 95 yards, missing open receivers and forcing balls to covered ones. He was under constant pressure from the 49ers' blitzing defense, and his teammates dropped passes and missed blocking assignments with alarming frequency.
"I'm embarrassed," All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "That was the worst game we've played since I've been here. When it goes bad, it goes bad. We just didn't play well."
The 49ers scored 23 points in the final 6:01 of the first half, turning a comfortable win into a blowout just moments after Chicago showed its only signs of life.
Mike Brown intercepted Garcia's poorly thrown ball inside the 49ers 15, setting up Stewart's 3-yard pass to Desmond Clark. The defense then forced a punt -- but Williams forced and recovered rookie Bobby Wade's fumble at the Chicago 6, setting up Garcia's TD run.
Lloyd, a rookie receiver who had an outstanding camp, blocked Brad Maynard's punt at the 18 moments later. Streets caught an ensuing TD pass.