In a thrilling Week 17 Sunday Night Football showdown, the San Francisco 49ers narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 42-38 at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025. Brock Purdy accounted for five total touchdowns, Christian McCaffrey racked up 181 scrimmage yards, and rookie Caleb Williams delivered a strong performance in a classic quarterback duel. The win keeps the 49ers in position to contend for the NFC’s top seed, while the loss sees the Bears’ shot at #1 evaporate — though they’ve already locked down the NFC North title and a high playoff seed.
Instant Take — High-Octane Shootout in Santa Clara
This wasn’t your typical late-season NFL matchup. From a pick-six on the very first play to a dramatic 38-yard game-winning touchdown from Purdy to Jauan Jennings, this game was a quarterback duel writ large. Purdy’s performance — three passing TDs and two rushing scores — set the tone offensively, while Williams’ 330 passing yards and two touchdowns kept the Bears within striking distance until the final seconds.
The final play saw San Francisco’s defense force Caleb Williams’ pass incomplete at the 2-yard line, sealing the 49ers’ victory and showcasing just how fine the margins were in this shootout.
First Half — A Back-And-Forth Start
Opening Minutes Set the Pace
On just the second play from scrimmage, Purdy’s opening pass was tipped and returned 34 yards for a touchdown by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards, giving Chicago an immediate 7-0 lead — a rarity for an opening play in primetime football.
The 49ers responded quickly, with Purdy and McCaffrey engineering several scoring drives that balanced both the pass and run — including a 5-yard McCaffrey touchdown that tied the game early.
Trading Punches Through Two Quarters
By halftime, neither defense had an answer for the opposing attack. San Francisco held a slim lead, but the Bears’ combination of swift offensive execution and timely plays kept this matchup tight and entertaining.
McCaffrey’s Historic Night
Christian McCaffrey wasn’t just productive — he was historically excellent. Finishing with 181 scrimmage yards — combining 140 on the ground with 41 receiving — McCaffrey moved past 300 touches on the season and set a new franchise mark for receptions by a running back.
With 96 receptions on the season, McCaffrey also surpassed previous 49ers RB records, highlighting his unmatched role in San Francisco’s offense this year.
Purdy vs Williams — Quarterback Duel for the Ages
Sunday night featured one of the most compelling duels on the NFL calendar:
Brock Purdy
- 24/33 passing
- 303 yards
- 3 passing TDs
- 2 rushing TDs
Purdy followed up his career-high five-TD performance from the prior week by doing it again — becoming just the sixth player since the AFL-NFL merger with back-to-back games of at least five TDs.
Facing adversity — including an early interception — Purdy responded with efficiency and big-play capability throughout the night.
Caleb Williams
Rookie Bears QB Williams was equally impressive, completing 25 of 42 passes for 330 yards and two scores, showing poise and playmaking ability not often seen from first-year signal callers in primetime.
His late-game drive down the field gave Chicago a final opportunity from inside the 2-yard line. But with the winning score just out of reach, the 49ers’ defense held firm.
Scoring Summary & Key Plays
- CHI TD — Pick-6: Bears strike first on T.J. Edwards’ early interception return.
- SF Response: Purdy hits Jake Tonges from 1 yard out; 49ers tie it.
- 49ers Take Lead: Purdy’s 10-yard rushing score shifts momentum.
- McCaffrey Explodes: 5-yard rushing TD extends SF’s edge early.
- Williams Finds Burden: Bears respond with a 35-yard TD strike.
- Fourth-Quarter Heroics: Jennings’ 38-yard TD seals the victory.
Defensive Moments That Mattered
Even in a game dominated by offensive firepower, key defensive plays turned the tide:
- After a high-scoring three quarters, the 49ers’ defense made the pivotal stop on the final play from the 2-yard line, forcing an incomplete pass that preserved the win.
- San Francisco’s defensive front, led by edge pressure from Bryce Huff, disrupted Chicago’s rhythm when it mattered most.
Playoff Implications — NFC Seeding Locked in Motion
This game wasn’t just entertainment — it had real playoff consequences:
49ers
With the win, the 49ers improved to 12-4 and head into Week 18 with their destiny still in their own hands. A victory next week against the Seattle Seahawks would clinch:
- The NFC West title
- The No. 1 seed in the NFC
- A first-round bye and potential home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium.
Bears
Chicago (11-5) had already clinched the NFC North before this game — their first division title since 2018 — but this loss cost their chance to take the top seed in the NFC.
If the Bears beat the Detroit Lions next week, they’ll likely secure the No. 2 seed, still a strong position with home playoff games.
What Fans and Analysts Are Saying
Social media buzz and fan forums lit up with reactions:
- 49ers fans celebrated the late-game resilience and clutch scoring by Purdy and McCaffrey.
- Bears supporters lamented the narrow loss — especially with another chance lost inside the 2-yard line — while praising Williams’ breakthrough performance.
- Analysts noted this could go down as one of the most exciting primetime games of the 2025 season, both for the offensive showcase and seeding stakes.
Looking Ahead — Week 18 Preview
49ers vs Seahawks (NFC West Battle)
This upcoming game has massive implications. A 49ers win not only secures the division crown but guarantees a home-field playoff advantage, a luxury seldom afforded late in the season.
Bears vs Lions (Final Tune-Up)
Chicago’s focus shifts to finishing strong with the No. 2 seed locked. A win ensures continued postseason momentum and home-field advantage in initial rounds.
Conclusion — A Classic Primetime Duel With Far-Reaching Stakes
The 49ers’ 42-38 victory over the Bears wasn’t just a game; it was a statement. Purdy’s leadership, McCaffrey’s historic productivity, and Williams’ competitive spark highlighted two teams ready for deep playoff runs. Yet this result shifted the NFC pecking order, pushing San Francisco closer to a potential top seed while reshaping Chicago’s path.
In a league where playoff positioning often determines postseason destiny, this Sunday night thriller may echo well into January — remembered not just for its offensive fireworks, but for the razor-thin margins that define championship football.
