The San Francisco 49ers earned a critical win in a 42-38 shootout against the Chicago Bears on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in Week 17 to keep themselves alive in the NFC West race.
While offense was the name of the game at Levi’s Stadium throughout Sunday’s action, it was a key defensive stand that sealed the San Francisco victory.
Caleb Williams and the Bears did everything in their power to mount a game-winning drive in the final 2:15 of regulation. Ben Johnson’s team managed to quickly matriculate the ball down the field and survive a fourth-and-5 to set the team up with a goal-to-go opportunity with four seconds remaining.
The Bears were out of timeouts when Williams spiked the ball on first-and-goal to stop the clock after Colston Loveland and D’Andre Swift used a hook-and-ladder play to put Chicago on the 2-yard line. With such little time remaining, the Bears had time for just one shot into the end zone.
Williams snapped the ball on second down and tried to find an open receiver. Nobody broke open immediately before Bryce Huff pressured the second-year quarterback, flushing him to his left. Williams was able to continue surveying the field but still couldn’t find anyone open.
Eventually, Yetur Gross-Matos got pressure in Williams’ face, and the quarterback was forced to just throw the ball at will. It fell harmless to the ground in the end zone, sealing San Francisco’s win.
The 49ers’ victory will give them a chance to earn an NFC West title and the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC in Week 18. They need only beat the Seattle Seahawks head-to-head to earn both honors.
Meanwhile, the Bears have been eliminated from the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and will instead be locked into either the conference’s No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the league’s playoff picture.
49ers vs. Bears SNF takeaways
The 49ers offense is good enough to win a Super Bowl. The 49ers marched the ball down the field at will against the Bears on ‘Sunday Night Football’ despite being without George Kittle and losing left tackle Trent Williams on the first play of the game. Brock Purdy was efficient again, making several spectacular throws on the run and totaling five touchdowns for the second time in as many games. Christian McCaffrey handled 27 touches and turned them into 181 yards and a score, showing off his explosive playmaking ability on the ground and through the air. San Francisco simply has so many ways to beat its opponents and if the team can get fully healthy before their first playoff game, they have a legitimate chance to go on a Super Bowl run.
The Bears offense might also be title-worthy. Caleb Williams continues to show growth under Ben Johnson. Rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland are also coming along nicely, while Chicago sports one of the most productive running games in the NFL. The main difference between the 49ers and Bears is seasoning, as Williams is in just his first season working with Johnson. Occasionally, some growing pains pop up – live Burden and Loveland’s drops on Chicago’s final drive – but there’s plenty to like about what the Bears are doing. If Chicago’s offense plays as it did against the 49ers, the Bears may have a chance to get hot at the right time and go on a Super Bowl run of their own.
Luther Burden is a star in the making. Burden has become increasingly involved in the Bears’ offense and was the team’s top receiver against the 49ers. He tallied 138 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions, showing off a knack for getting open and shiftiness that could make him a big-time playmaker. Burden looks like an ideal, long-term complement for Rome Odunze, so the Bears have to be excited about the young core of weapons it has already built around Williams.
49ers vs. Bears highlights
49ers vs. Bears final score: San Francisco 42, Chicago 38
Caleb Williams got the Bears a goal-to-go opportunity after a hook-and-ladder play got Chicago to the 2-yard line. With just four seconds left in the game, Williams snapped the ball and tried to find an open receiver. The 49ers were sticky in coverage and didn’t allowed anyone to get free.
Bryce Huff was the first 49er to pressure Williams, who eventually had to release the ball with Yetur Gross-Matos baring down on him. The throw fell short of the Chicago receiver in the end-zone, clinching a victory for the 49ers and keeping them in the NFC West race.
Caleb Williams completes fourth-down pass to Colston Loveland
The Bears were facing a fourth-and-5 after a couple of incompletions. Williams got time to throw in the pocket and found Loveland open beyond the sticks.
The Bears used their final timeout and there are 26 seconds remaining in regulation. Chicago needs 13 yards to take the lead.
Bears have ball on 49ers’ 26-yard line with 40 seconds left
Caleb Williams and the Bears have methodically moved the ball down the field since getting it back after San Francisco’s touchdown. They are now facing a second-and-5 from the 49ers’ 26-yard line. The Bears have 40 seconds and two timeouts remaining.
Jauan Jennings catches 38-yard TD pass from Brock Purdy to give 49ers lead
The 49ers have re-taken the lead. This time, it’s Jauan Jennings who managed to hit pay-dirt. The veteran receiver came across the middle of the field and found a pocket of space behind the Bears’ linebackers. He then got a quality screen from Ricky Pearsall and managed to run the ball into the end-zone for the score.
Eddy Pineiro’s extra point was good, so the Bears will have 2:15 to overcome a four-point deficit.
49ers 42, Bears 38
Cairo Santos makes 29-yard field goal to give Bears lead
For the first time since opening the game with a pick-six, the Bears have taken a lead against the 49ers. Chicago mounted an 11-play, 78-yard drive but couldn’t quite punch the ball into the end-zone.
Santos was called upon on a fourth-and-goal from the 11-yard line and made the 29-yard kick. The Bears are now leading 38-35 with 5:22 left in regulation.
Bears 38, 49ers 35
Bears pressure Brock Purdy, force Thomas Morstead’s 1,000th punt
The Bears finally managed to stop the 49ers from scoring again. This time, defensive lineman Austin Booker beat backup left tackle Austen Pleasants and pressured Purdy as he was throwing. The quarterback’s throw bounced to the ground as a result, and Morstead was called on to attempt his 1,000th career punt.
Morstead’s kick was a good one, and Devin Duvernay was forced to fair catch it at the 11-yard line. There is 11:23 remaining in regulation and the Bears will now look to take their first lead since it was 7-0.
D’Andre Swift scores 22-yard touchdown to open fourth quarter
The Bears have once again tied the game. One play after Caleb Williams completed a fourth-down pass to Colston Loveland to move the chains, Swift took a hand-off to the left side of the line and his blockers opened up a big lane for him.
Cairo Santos made the extra point to tie the game at 35. The game has been tied at 7, 14, 21, 28 and now 35, which NBC’s play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico said had never before happened in the NFL regular season.
Bears 35, 49ers 35
How much does Brock Purdy get paid?
Purdy is making just $1.1 million in salary this season, which is the last of the four-year rookie deal he signed with the 49ers after being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
However, Purdy signed a five-year, $265 million extension during the offseason that will kick in during the 2026 NFL season. He also got a $40 million signing bonus for the 2025 NFL season, per Spotrac.com, so he actually made just over $41.1 million in 2025 when factoring in a $8,820 workout bonus in his contract.
Purdy’s average annual value (AAV) of $53 million per season on his extension is tied for the seventh-highest in the NFL with Jared Goff. His total contract value of $265 million ranks fifth-highest in the NFL behind only Patrick Mahomes ($450 million), Josh Allen ($330 million), Joe Burrow ($275 million) and Trevor Lawrence ($275 million).
Brock Purdy tosses 6-yard TD to Kyle Juszczyk to put 49ers ahead
The 49ers have now scored touchdowns on all five of their red-zone possessions. This time, Purdy made an incredible play after a play-action pass. He was pressured by a couple of Bears defenders but managed to find a lane through them. He then acted as if he was going to run before throwing the ball back to Juszczyk, who was wide open in the end-zone.
Eddy Pineiro made the extra point and San Francisco is once again up by seven.
49ers 35, Bears 28
Trent Williams injury update
The 49ers have officially ruled starting left tackle Trent Williams out for the remainder of Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury.
Williams suffered the injury on the first play of the game, a Brock Purdy pick-six. Austen Pleasants will continue to play in place of Williams, as he did in the first half.
Bears tie game with D’Andre Swift TD run to open second half
The Bears enjoyed a strong start to the second half. They held the ball for 5:09 and marched down the field, with Caleb Williams hitting Jahdae Walker for a key 19-yard connection on a third-and-14 and Luther Burden scooting for a 23-yard gain after catching a dump-off from Williams.
Chicago capped the drive with a Swift run. The veteran back took the ball around the right side of the line and managed to find a lane into the end-zone.
Cairo Santos then banged through an extra point to tie the game back up early in the second half.
Bears 28, 49ers 28
Bears playoff scenarios
The Bears have already wrapped up the NFC North and a top-three seed in the NFC. However, their game against the 49ers will decide whether Chicago has a chance to remain in the race for the NFC’s No. 1 overall pick.
With a win against the 49ers, the Bears would clinch a top-two seed in the NFC. However, a loss would ensure Chicago would either get the No. 2 or No. 3 seed, pending the results of the team’s Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles’ game against the Washington Commanders.
49ers playoff scenarios
The 49ers have already clinched a playoff berth but need to win against the Bears to remain in the NFC West race.
Below is a look at how the 49ers can clinch the NFC West:
49ers win vs. Bears in Week 17 AND
49ers win vs. Seahawks in Week 18
If the 49ers can’t beat both the Bears and the Seahawks, they would be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC.
Caleb Williams stats at halftime
Williams and the Bears ran just 19 plays compared to the 49ers’ 47 in the first half. As such, Williams’ stats aren’t quite as impressive as Purdy’s.
Williams has completed 6 of 12 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. He had two nice downfield strikes to Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland for the touchdowns but will need to improve upon his shorter-area accuracy to sustain drives in the second half.
Christian McCaffrey stats at halftime
The 49ers have leaned on McCaffrey as their top offensive weapon with George Kittle (ankle) unavailable for Sunday’s game. McCaffrey has generated 121 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries while adding two catches for 20 yards through the air.
Brock Purdy stats at halftime
Purdy has remained hot during his Week 17 ‘Sunday Night Football’ game. He has completed 14 of 20 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 yards and two scores on five rushes.
Purdy’s lone blemish was the pick-six he threw on the first play of the game. Since then, he has been razor-sharp, leading the 49ers to 330 total yards of offense in the first half.
49ers take 28-21 lead into halftime
The 49ers have just a seven-point lead over the Bears, but San Francisco has been dominant across the first 30 minutes of action.
The 49ers completely controlled the clock, holding onto the ball for 21:56 of the first half. They generated a whopping 330 yards of offense in the first half and only punted once despite losing left tackle Trent Williams to a hamstring injury on the first play of the game.
To their credit, the Bears have stayed in Sunday’s game. Caleb Williams has tossed a couple of long touchdowns to rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland while T.J. Edwards opened the game with a pick-six that gave Chicago an early lead.
The Bears will get the ball first coming out of the locker room. They will be looking to sustain drives and keep their defense from tiring in what has thus far been a high-scoring shootout.
Brock Purdy scores 3-yard touchdown on read-option run
Purdy scored his first rushing touchdown of the game on a scramble. His second came on a designed read-option run during which he kept the ball after a fake to Christian McCaffrey. Eddy Pineiro made his fourth extra point of the game to give the 49ers a touchdown lead once again.
San Francisco’s score came just a couple of plays after Purdy threw an interception that was nullified by an illegal use of hands to the face penalty against the Bears.
49ers 28, Bears 21
Caleb Williams hits Colston Loveland for 36-yard TD on free play
Williams managed to get the 49ers to jump offside just before the snap, creating an opportunity for a free play. The second-year quarterback hung back in the pocket and scanned the field while moving to his right before finding Loveland, a rookie tight end, open near the goal-line.
Williams deliver an accurate strike to Loveland, who brought the ball down for a 36-yard touchdown. Cairo Santos made the extra point and the Bears and 49ers are once again tied with 12:20 left in the second quarter.
Bears 21, 49ers 21
Christian McCaffrey scores 5-yard TD on toss play
The 49ers’ latest touchdown drive was capped off by McCaffrey, who took a toss around the right side of San Francisco’s offensive line and was able to weave through the Bears defense for an easy score.
Eddy Pineiro makes the extra point again and the 49ers are once again up by a touchdown.
49ers 21, Bears 14
Caleb Williams hits Luther Burden III for 35-yard TD
The Bears have scored their first offensive touchdown of Sunday’s game. Williams was able to deliver a perfect downfield strike to the rookie Burden, who gained separation from the San Francisco secondary to make the catch in the end-zone.
Cairo Santos made the extra point and the teams are once again all square with 2:58 left in the first quarter.
Bears 14, 49ers 14
Where did Brock Purdy go to college?
Purdy played collegiately at Iowa State. He was a four-year starter for the Cyclones and completed 67.7% of his passes for 12,170 yards, 81 touchdowns and 33 interceptions over the course of his career.
Purdy’s strong performance was enough to get him drafted, but just barely. He was the 262nd (and final) pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has since cemented his legacy as one of the best ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ picks in league history.
Brock Purdy scrambles for 10-yard TD to give 49ers lead
The 49ers quickly got into scoring range after getting the ball back from the Bears thanks to a 41-yard run by Christian McCaffrey. Purdy finished off the drive by finding a running lane off a bootleg left and diving across the goal-line to give the 49ers their first lead of the game.
Eddy Pineiro made the extra point and San Francisco now has a seven-point lead.
49ers 14, Bears 7
49ers punt for first time since November
The 49ers went two full games without punting to open December. They managed two more drives in their third one before Thomas Morstead was called on to punt for the first time since Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns.
Morstead unleashed a 49-yarder that pinned the Bears back at their own 16-yard line.
When was the Bears’ last Super Bowl win?
The Bears have just one Super Bowl win in their history. That came in Super Bowl 20, which was played in January 2026 to determine the champion of the 1985 NFL season.
The Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10 in a game during which Chicago ran for four touchdowns with Jim McMahon, Matt Suhey and William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry.
Brock Purdy finds Jake Tonges wide open for 1-yard TD
The 49ers managed to strike back quickly against the Bears. Purdy hit Demarcus Robinson for a 25-yard gain that set San Francisco up with a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
The 49ers ran a hard, play-action fake on first-and-goal and Tonges was able to completely lose the defense. Purdy tossed him an easy touchdown before Eddy Pineiro made the extra point to tie the game after San Francisco’s early gaffe.
49ers 7, Bears 7
Trent Williams injury update
The 49ers didn’t just throw an interception on the first play of the game. Their star left tackle, Trent Williams, also suffered an apparent injury. He was receiving treatment in the blue medical tent during San Francisco’s second drive and was replaced at his post by backup Austen Pleasants.
The 49ers didn’t immediately provide an update on Williams’ status but later announced he was ‘questionable’ to return because of a hamstring injury.
Brock Purdy throws pick-six on first offensive snap
The 49ers are off to about as bad a start as possible to their ‘Sunday Night Football’ game against the Bears. Purdy tried to fire a pass over the middle of the field to Jauan Jennings to open the game, but Chicago cornerback Jaylon Johnson managed to jump the route and tip it into the air.
T.J. Edwards came down with the deflection and found a clear path to the end-zone, following his blockers to get an early-game score.
Cairo Santos drilled the extra point and the Bears are leading by a touchdown just 15 seconds into the game.
Bears 7, 49ers 0
Why isn’t George Kittle playing?
Kittle suffered an ankle injury in the 49ers’ win over the Indianapolis Colts on ‘Monday Night Football.’ The veteran tight end was unable to practice ahead of the team’s game against the Chicago Bears, so the 49ers listed him as inactive for Sunday’s game.
The 49ers have already clinched a playoff berth, so that may have led the team to approach Kittle’s injury with caution. San Francisco still has a chance to win the NFC West but will need to beat Chicago to create a battle for the division against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18.
Bears ‘VMH’ patch, explained
The Bears added the ‘VMH’ jersey patch for the 2025 NFL season to pay tribute to their former owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, who died in February at the age of 102.
McCaskey inherited ownership of the Bears from her father, George Halas Sr., following his death in 1983. She oversaw the team when it won Super Bowl 20 following the 1985 NFL season and was the longest-tenured owner at the time of her passing.
Like her father’s ‘GSH’ patch, McCaskey’s patch features a permutation of her initials, which were ‘VHM.’ The ‘VMH’ patch places McCaskey’s last name as the centerpiece of the logo, while her maiden name-turned-middle initial is on the right side of it.
What does ‘GSH’ on the Chicago Bears uniform mean?
That acronym is a reference to the team’s founding owner, George Stanley Halas Sr. It has been incorporated into Chicago’s uniforms since 1983, following his death at age 83.
Chicago Bears inactives list
WR Rome Odunze
WR Olamide Zaccheaus
QB Case Keenum
CB Dallis Flowers
DB Nick McCloud
LB Ruben Hyppolite II
OL Luke Newman
San Francisco 49ers inactives list
TE George Kittle
WR Jordan Watkins
DL Robert Beal Jr.
RB Isaac Guerendo
DL Kevin Givens
CB Renardo Green
LB Curtis Robinson
What TV channel is the 49ers vs. Bears game?
TV channel: NBC
The Week 17 game between the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears game will be broadcast by NBC on Sunday. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (game analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the ‘Sunday Night Football’ contest.
What time is the Bears at 49ers game?
Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
The 49ers vs. Bears game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 28.
49ers vs. Bears live stream
Live stream: Peacock
Per usual, NBC will simulcast its ‘Sunday Night Football’ offering on Peacock, its proprietary streaming service. Cord-cutters can also catch the action on the NFL’s own streaming service, NFL+.
Watch ‘Sunday Night Football’ with Peacock
49ers vs. Bears prediction, picks
Here’s how the NFL experts at USA TODAY Sports believe the Week 17 matchup between the 49ers and Bears will shake out:
Jarrett Bell: 49ers, 26-24
Nick Brinkerhoff: 49ers, 28-24
Chris Bumbaca: 49ers, 29-25
Nate Davis: 49ers, 24-23
Tyler Dragon: Bears, 25-21
Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: 49ers, 35-28
49ers vs. Bears odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:15 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): 49ers -200 (Bet $200 to win $100) | Bears +165 (Bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread (ATS): 49ers -3.5 (-105) | Bears +3.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Is George Kittle playing today vs. Bears on Sunday night?
The 49ers’ star tight end is officially inactive for tonight’s game.
Kittle was considered ‘highly unlikely’ to play on ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Chicago Bears, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was expected to test his ankle before the team announced its inactives but it appears he needs more time to recover.
49ers inactives today vs. Bears
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
TE George Kittle
DL Kevin Givens
CB Renardo Green
LB Curtis Robinson
DL Robert Beal Jr.
Bears inactives today vs. 49ers
QB Case Keenum
WR Rome Odunze
WR Olamide Zaccheaus
CB Dallis Flowers
DB Nick McCloud
LB Ruben Hyppolite II
OL Luke Newman
NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North winners)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
San Francisco 49ers (11-4, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Rams (11-4, wild card No. 2)*
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
NFL playoff picture: AFC Bracket
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched
NFC West standings
The 49ers enter tonight’s game tied with the Rams in second place in the division. They are ahead by virtue of the division head-to-head record.
Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
NFC North standings
The Bears have locked up the NFC North division title for the first time since 2018 after the Packers’ loss to the Ravens on Saturday in Week 17.
Chicago Bears (11-4)* NFC North winners
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)
Minnesota Vikings (8-8)
Detroit Lions (8-8)
Bears remaining schedule
Week 17: at San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions (8-8)
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NFL draft order 2026
Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:
Las Vegas Raiders: 2-14; .544 SOS
New York Giants: 3-13 record; .531 strength of schedule
New York Jets: 3-13, .548 SOS
Tennessee Titans: 3-13, .576 SOS
Arizona Cardinals: 3-13; .577 SOS
Cleveland Browns: 4-12, .494 SOS
Washington Commanders: 4-12; .504 SOS
New Orleans Saints: 6-10; .491 SOS
Kansas City Chiefs: 6-10; .511 SOS
Cincinnati Bengals: 6-10; .520 SOS
Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .498 SOS
Miami Dolphins: 7-9; .487 SOS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8, .530 SOS
Dallas Cowboys: 7-8-1; .430 SOS
Detroit Lions: 8-8; .493 SOS
Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; .507 SOS
Minnesota Vikings: 8-8; .515 SOS
Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-8; .537 SOS
Carolina Panthers: 8-8, .521 SOS
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .513 SOS
Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-6-1; .479 SOS
Los Angeles Chargers: 11-5; .461 SOS
Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5; .469 SOS
Buffalo Bills: 11-5, .472 SOS
Houston Texans: 11-5; .530 SOS
San Francisco 49ers: 11-4, .494 SOS
Los Angeles Rams: 11-4, .526 SOS
Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 12-4; .487 SOS
Chicago Bears: 11-4; .450 SOS
New England Patriots: 13-3; .386 SOS
Denver Broncos: 13-3; .425 SOS
Seattle Seahawks: 13-3; .494 SOS