On Sunday Night Football (Dec. 28, 2025), the San Francisco 49ers narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 42-38 in a high-octane Week 17 matchup at Levi’s Stadium — a game marked by Brock Purdy accounting for five touchdowns, a late 38-yard game-winning TD to Jauan Jennings, and a defensive stand that kept the Bears out of the end zone on the final play of the season-tilting contest. The win kept the 49ers’ hopes for the NFC’s top seed alive, while the Bears’ loss likely cost them a shot at the #1 seed despite clinching the NFC North earlier in the weekend.
Game Overview — A Sunday Night Shootout
This game wasn’t just another December matchup — it was the kind of back-and-forth offensive spectacle that NFL fans live for. Both teams entered the contest riding strong seasons: the Bears at 11-5 and the 49ers at 12-4, each with playoff positioning on the line.
Early Momentum and First Quarter Fireworks
The Bears struck first with a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown by T.J. Edwards on the opening play, setting the tone in front of a nationally televised audience. But San Francisco responded with two early scores — including a Brock Purdy rushing touchdown — to take an early lead. The teams traded punches in the first half, with neither defense able to slow the opposing offense.
High Scoring Throughout
By halftime, the scoreboard read close to even. Both quarterbacks — Bears rookie Caleb Williams and 49ers veteran Brock Purdy — were sharp, carving up defenses with big plays. The shootout continued into the second half with touchdowns on consecutive drives, culminating in an 80-point thriller that saw eleven total touchdowns between the clubs.
Player Performances — Stars of the Show
Brock Purdy: Dual Threat Hero
Purdy was the linchpin of the 49ers’ offense:
- 303 passing yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 2 rushing touchdowns
He became one of the very few quarterbacks since the AFL-NFL merger to post back-to-back games with at least five total TDs, showcasing his versatility and calm under pressure.
His 38-yard strike to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 left proved the decisive blow in a game that had felt like a chess match of highs and lows.
Christian McCaffrey: Workhorse Impact
McCaffrey piled up over 180 scrimmage yards including a touchdown and continued to affirm why he’s one of the most complete offensive weapons in the league, wreaking havoc both on the ground and as a receiver.
Caleb Williams: Close but Not Quite
Williams tallied 330 passing yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Bears in the hunt late and nearly engineering a comeback. Despite his prolific night, his final pass intended for Jahdae Walker in the end zone fell incomplete as San Francisco’s defense made a crucial stop on the game’s final play.
Turning Points in the Game
Pick-Six on Opening Play
The Bears’ defense immediately made a statement with an opening-play interception return for a touchdown — a rare and momentum-shifting play in primetime games.
Late-Game Heroics
After Chicago grabbed a 38-35 lead on a Cairo Santos field goal with just over five minutes left, the 49ers took over with a methodical seven-play, 75-yard drive to retake the lead — an offensive charge capped by Purdy’s late TD to Jennings.
Final Defensive Stop
With under ten seconds remaining and the Bears at the 2-yard line, San Francisco’s defense rose to the occasion, forcing a crucial incompletion that sealed the win and sent Levi’s Stadium into jubilation.
Statistical Highlights
Here’s a snapshot of the key numbers that defined the matchup:
- Total Yards: 49ers 496, Bears 440
- Passing: Bears 330 yards, 49ers 296 yards
- Rushing: 49ers 200 yards, Bears 110 yards
- First Downs: SF 32, CHI 26
- Turnovers: Bears 0, 49ers 1
This statistical slugfest underscored just how balanced both teams were offensively — and why the final minutes were so pivotal.
Playoff Implications — What This Win Means
49ers: NFC West & Top Seed Hopes Alive
The victory improved San Francisco’s record to 12-4, setting up a crucial Week 18 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks. Win that game and the 49ers can lock up:
- NFC West championship
- No. 1 overall seed in the NFC
- Potential first-round bye and home-field advantage deep into the playoffs
In today’s NFL, where parity rules, that path is gold.
Bears: NFC North Champions, Seed Shake-Up
Chicago’s loss notched their record at 11-5, but they had already clinched the NFC North title and solidified a playoff berth — still a significant achievement after years of rebuilding under rookie quarterback Williams. That said, this defeat almost certainly eliminates their chance at the No. 1 seed, now likely falling to 2 or 3 depending on other Week 18 results.
What Fans Are Saying — Pulse of the Crowd
Online football forums lit up postgame with reactions from both fanbases:
- Many Bears supporters lamented the narrow loss — especially given the team’s NFL record for comeback wins this season, including six clutch late-game victories — making this near-comeback all the more agonizing.
- 49ers fans celebrated the resilience and late-game poise that preserved their playoff aspirations.
Across Reddit threads and social channels, the narrative was clear: this was one of the most exciting prime-time games of 2025, and it could have ripple effects throughout the playoffs.
Looking Ahead — What’s Next
Week 18 for the 49ers
The stage is set for a NFC West title showdown with Seattle — a game that could determine not just seeding, but the flow of an entire NFC playoff bracket. A home game with the No. 1 seed up for grabs? That’s as big as they come in the regular season.
Week 18 for the Bears
Chicago hosts Detroit in a finale that will likely decide their final seed — and potentially determine whether they stay No. 2 or fall to No. 3 in the NFC. Either way, they’ll head into January football with confidence after a breakthrough season.
Conclusion — A Classic Primetime NFL Showdown
This wasn’t just a football game. It was a primetime spectacle that blended offensive fireworks, strategic fourth-quarter drama, and playoff ramifications. Purdy’s resilience, McCaffrey’s yard-eating performance, and Caleb Williams’ near-comeback showed why the NFL’s Week 17 slate drew so much national attention.
For the 49ers, it’s momentum — and a chance to cement their status as NFC favorites. For the Bears, it’s a bitter taste but also a testament to how far this franchise has come — especially under a rookie signal-caller who knows how to win in the clutch.
Expect Week 18 to be just as compelling. The race for seeding — and for playoff glory — is far from over.
