Quarterback Nick Mullens began the season on the practice squad, and he only took over as the 49ers' starter only when backup C.J. Beathard was unable to play due to thumb and wrist injuries.
But in the seven games Mullens has started for the 49ers, he has put up historic numbers.
On Sunday, Mullens completed 22 of 38 passes for 241 yards in the 49ers’ 14-9 loss to the NFC North-champion Chicago Bears. Mullens became the first 49ers quarterback to throw for 220 yards or more in seven consecutive games since Jeff Garcia in 2000.
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Mullens also ranks third since 1970 for yards passing in his first seven NFL games. Here’s the complete list:
2,149 – Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City, 2018
2,103 – Cam Newton, Carolina, 2011
1,995 – Nick Mullens, 49ers, 2018
1,971 – Andrew Luck, Indianapolis, 2012
1,826 – Marc Bulger, St. Louis, 2002
--Tight end George Kittle had seven receptions for 74 yards. This season, he has put up the 49ers’ best receiving season since Hall of Famer Terrell Owens. Here’s the franchise’s top single-season receiving yards since 2000:
1,451 — WR Terrell Owens, 2000
1,412 — WR Terrell Owens, 2001
1,300 – WR Terrell Owens, 2002
1,228 – TE George Kittle, 2018
1,179 – WR Anquan Boldin, 2013
--Robbie Gould’s club-record streak of 33 field goals came to an end on Oct. 7. So what happened after that? The following week, Gould began a new streak. With three field goals on Sunday against his former team, Gould has now made 22 consecutive field-goal attempts, which ranks third in club history behind his own streak and Phil Dawson’s 27.
--Edge rusher Cassius Marsh recorded two sacks. Marsh, a fifth-year pro, has a career-high 5.5 sacks on the season and is tied with Ronald Blair for No. 2 on the team.
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--Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner added to his single-season high in sacks. Here is a list of the 49ers’ most sacks in a single season since 2000:
19.5 – Aldon Smith, 2012
14.0 – Aldon Smith, 2011
12.5 – Andre Carter, 2002
12.0 – DeForest Buckner, 2018
9.5 – Bryant Young, 2000
--Rookie cornerback Tarvarius Moore made his first NFL start. He recorded his first forced fumble when he punched the ball out from Bears receiver Allen Robinson to provide the 49ers with one final chance at the victory. Greg Mabin came up with his first career fumble recovery.
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Here are the total numbers of snaps of every 49ers player who saw action on offense, defense and special teams:
Offense
Total offensive snaps: 55
Quarterback – Nick Mullens 55
Running back – Jeff Wilson 38, Kyle Juszczyk 33, Matt Breida 9
Wide receiver – Kendrick Bourne 54, Marquise Goodwin 38, Trent Taylor 26, Dante Pettis 17, Richie James 4
Tight end – George Kittle 54, Garrett Celek 3, Ross Dwelley 1
Offensive line – Laken Tomlinson 55, Weston Richburg 55, Joe Staley 55, Mike McGlinchey 55, Mike Person 54, Joshua Garnett 1
Did not play –
Defense
Total defensive snaps: 64
Defensive line – DeForest Buckner 51, Ronald Blair 45, Solomon Thomas 42, D.J. Jones 36, Arik Armstead 35, Cassius Marsh 29, Jullian Taylor 17
Linebacker – Elijah Lee 64, Fred Warner 64, Mark Nzeocha 8
Defensive back –Marcell Harris 64, Tarvarius Moore 64, Antone Exum 64, Richard Sherman 54, K’Waun Williams 36, D.J. Reed 20, Greg Mabin 10, Tyvis Powell 1
Special teams
Total special teams plays: 19
Mabin 16, Nzeocha 11, Bradley Pinion 10, James Onwualu 10, Dwelley 10, Lee 9, Harris 9, Jones 9, James 8, Buckner 8, Marsh 8, Powell 8, Matthew Dayes 7, Colin Holba 7, Godwin Igwebuike 6, Pita Taumoepenu 6, T.Taylor 6, Moore 6, Exum 6, Thomas 5, Reed 5, Warner 4, Juszczyk 4, Armstead 4, Garry Gilliam 3, Robbie Gould 3, Tomlinson 3, Richburg 3, Staley 3, McGlinchey 3, Celek 3, Blair 2, Goodwin 1, Wilson 1, Williams 1