The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 42-38 in a thrilling NFL Week 17 matchup played at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday night, December 28th. Quarterback Esse’s result kept the 49ers alive in the race for first place in the NFC and eliminated the Bears’ chances of winning the top playoff position.
The game began with an interception returned for a touchdown by TJ. Caleb Williams, the Bears quarterback, had a solid performance, with 330 air yards and two touchdowns, but the Chicago defense was unable to contain the opposing offense in decisive moments.
The game recorded a total of 936 total yards of offense and 11 offensive touchdowns, numbers that highlight the intensity of the clash between two teams already qualified for the playoffs.
49ers offensive performance
Brock Purdy completed accurate passes throughout the game, racking up 303 yards through the air and connecting for a 38-yard touchdown with Christian McCaffrey contributing effective runs, totaling 181 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, taking advantage of gaps in the Bears ground defense.
The San Francisco offensive unit maintained a high tempo, converting third downs and avoiding punts in key sequences. Purdy also scored rushing touchdowns, demonstrating mobility and decision-making under limited pressure from opposing pass rushers.
Performance highlighted by Caleb Williams
Caleb Ele led the scoring drives that kept Bears competitive, including deep ties with Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland.
Chicago’s offensive line protected the quarterback well, allowing him to act with the time necessary to read the defenses. After the loss, Williams showed progress in high-pressure games, nearing the 4,000-yard mark for the season.
Bears defensive problems
The Bears defense was unable to generate consistent pressure on Purdy, who threw most of his yards untouched. The 49ers turned opportunities into touchdowns, taking advantage of gaps in Chicago’s secondary and front seven.
Although it started with an interception for a touchdown, the defensive unit allowed high average yards per play to the opposing offense. Jogadores and Jaquan Brisker acknowledged that the defense didn’t match the team’s offensive production.
Decisive moments of the fourth quarter
The Bears took a 38-35 lead with a field goal in the final minutes after a drive that reached the red zone. However, the 49ers responded with a quick drive, culminating in Jennings’ touchdown to make the score 42-38.
On the final possession, Williams advanced Bears to the 2-yard line, but the final pass was incomplete, sealing San Francisco’s victory. It the defensive stop was fundamental for the home team.
- Brock Purdy: 303 passing yards and five total touchdowns.
- Caleb Williams: 330 yards and two touchdowns thrown.
- Total combined yards: 936 for the entire game.
- Historical draws:
Implications for the playoffs
With the win, the 49ers reached 12 wins and maintained their chances of winning the NFC West and a first-round bye, depending on the showdown against the Seahawks. The team demonstrated resilience despite the injury absences of key players.
The Bears, now at 11 wins and 5 losses, secured a playoff spot but missed the opportunity to battle for the top seed. Eles will finish the regular season against Lions, trying to improve their position in the conference.
Post match reactions
Coaches and players highlighted the intensity of the matchup, with Bears’ Ben Johnson pointing out gaps in defensive communication at key moments. Kyle Shanahan praised his offense’s ability to respond to opposing scores.
Purdy and McCaffrey were instrumental in keeping the offensive pace alive. Together with Chicago, Williams expressed confidence in the team for the playoffs despite the negative result.
Further individual highlights
Bears rookie Luther Burden III amassed 138 receiving yards and a touchdown, emerging as a major weapon. Jauan Jennings contributed key receptions, including the game-winning touchdown.
The 49ers defense, despite being under pressure, forced an indefinite stoppage. The game goes down in NFL history for its consecutive draws and scoring volume.
