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If Week 17’s “Sunday Night Football” matchup is anything like what the NFL Playoffs will be like this season, football fans will enjoy every second of the game.
The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, two bears chasing the No. 1 seed in the NFC, put on an exciting primetime game Sunday night in the Bay Area.
But only the 49ers improved their chances of taking first place in their conference with a thrilling 42-38 victory.
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Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears with teammate Ricky Pearsall #1 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of the game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This was a back-and-forth game all night on the scoreboard, and it started with the first offensive snap of the game for the 49ers. But it wasn’t Brock Purdy and company who got good field position.
Instead, Jaylon Johnson jumped a ball intended for Jauan Jennings and ended with TJ Edwards intercepting the pass and taking it back 34 yards for the pick-six just 15 seconds into the game.
The 49ers immediately faced a 7-0 deficit, but Purdy didn’t flinch throughout the game, and it showed on the post-interception drive. San Francisco went nine plays and 65 yards downfield, when Purdy found Jake Tonges, replacing an injured George Kittle at the top tight end role, to tie the game.
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After three consecutive punts, the 49ers and Bears would combine for five consecutive touchdown drives, beginning with Purdy battling for a 10-yard touchdown run, his first of two on the night. It was set up by a 41-yard run by Christian McCaffrey, as the veteran had another successful week on the field.
Williams, however, wanted to show off his laser arm, as he spotted rookie Luther Burden III on the field for a 35-yard strike to tie the game at 14 apiece.
McCaffrey was able to find the end zone early in the second quarter to cap a nine-play drive, but an offside by the 49ers on the ensuing drive allowed Williams a free play to find rookie tight end Colston Loveland for a 36-yard touchdown.
However, it was the 49ers who entered the locker room with the lead, with Purdy capping 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 only managed one drive each in the third quarter, but both scored touchdowns: Kyle Juszczyk for San Francisco and D’Andre Swift for Chicago. But after Swift scored his second touchdown of the half, Williams and the Bears offense were finally able to regain the lead for the first time since that pick six early in the game.
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears warms up against the San Francisco 49ers before the game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It wasn’t the touchdown head coach Ben Johnson wanted, but a Cairo Santos field goal gave Chicago a 38-35 lead with 5:22 left in the game. However, there was still time for San Francisco and Purdy did not waste it.
Jennings went silent with just one catch for four yards the entire game when Purdy hit him perfectly in stride and took the distance for a 38-yard touchdown catch and run to retake the lead.
The Bears’ four-point deficit meant Williams had to find the end zone with just over two minutes left. They were able to convert it on fourth-and-5, and after a nifty catch-and-throw from Loveland to Swift, the Bears were at the two-yard line with four seconds left.
Williams surveyed 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 in first place. On the other hand, the 49ers are just one win away from securing it, as they will play the Seattle Seahawks next week.
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In the box score, McCaffrey had 181 yards from scrimmage, including 140 rushing on 23 carries with his score. Purdy completed 24 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, 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 receiving yards on eight receptions with his touchdown.
