49ers stave off Bears’ comeback hopes, have No. 1 seed in sights for Week 18
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If Week 17’s “Sunday Night Football” matchup is anything like this season’s NFL Playoffs, football fans will enjoy every second of the game.
The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, the two bears battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, staged a thrilling prime time matchup in the Bay Area on Sunday night.
But only the 49ers had a chance to take first place in the conference with a thrilling 42-38 win.
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Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears with teammate Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers #1 during the first quarter of the game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on December 28, 2025. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This was a game of back and forth on the scoreboard all night, and it started on the first offensive snap of the game for the 49ers. But it wasn’t Brock Purdy and his team who gained good position on the field.
Instead, Jaylon Johnson diving over a ball intended for Jauan Jennings resulted in TJ Edwards intercepting the pass and returning it 34 yards for a pick-six just 15 seconds into the game.
The 49ers immediately faced a 7-0 deficit, but Purdy remained unaffected throughout the game, and it showed on the ensuing drive following the interception. San Francisco trailed nine plays and 65 yards as Purdy found Jake Tonges filling in for the injured George Kittle in the top tight end role to tie the game.
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After three consecutive punts, the 49ers and Bears combined for five consecutive touchdown drives, starting with Purdy scrambling for a 10-yard touchdown run, the first of two on the night. It was set up by a 41-yard Christian McCaffrey run as the veteran had another successful week on the field.
But Williams wanted to show off his laser arm when he saw rookie Luther Burden III hit a 35-yard field goal to tie the game at 14 apiece.
McCaffrey was able to find the end zone to break a nine-play drive early in the second quarter, but offsides by the 49ers on the ensuing drive gave Williams a free play to find rookie tight end Colston Loveland for a 36-yard touchdown pass.
It was the 49ers who entered the locker room with the lead, but Purdy capped a methodical 15-play drive that consumed nearly nine minutes of the second quarter clock with his three-yard rushing touchdown.
As the second half began, the Bears and 49ers had only one third-quarter field goal attempt each, but they both cashed in on touchdown passes — San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk and Chicago’s D’Andre Swift. But after Swift scored his second touchdown of the half, Williams and the Bears’ offense were finally able to take back the lead for the first time since the pick-six to start the game.
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It wasn’t the goal head coach Ben Johnson wanted, but Cairo Santos’ shot put Chicago ahead 38-35 with 5:22 left in the game. But there was still time for San Fran, and Purdy didn’t waste it.
Jennings was kept quiet with just one catch for four yards when Purdy threw a perfect pitch to him, and he retook the lead by catching and running for a 38-yard touchdown.
The Bears’ four-point deficit meant Williams had to find the end zone with just over two minutes left in the game. They were able to turn it around on fourth and fifth, and after a masterful catch and throw from Loveland to Swift, the Bears were at the two-yard line with four seconds left.
Williams scouted the end zone and kept the play alive with his legs, but couldn’t find Jahdae Walker for the game-winning touchdown.
As a result of the loss, the Bears will no longer be the No. 1 seed. On the other hand, the 49ers are just one win away from securing the cup in the match they will play against the Seattle Seahawks next week.
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In the box score, McCaffrey had 181 yards from scrimmage, including 140 on 23 carries on the ground. Purdy passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 28 yards and two touchdowns.
For the Bears, Williams was 25-of-42 for 330 yards and two touchdowns, while Burden finished the night with 138 yards on eight catches.
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