49ers stave off Bears’ comeback hopes, have No. 1 seed in sights for Week 18

If Week 17’s “Sunday Evening Soccer” recreation is something like what the NFL Playoffs will seem like this season, soccer followers will love each second of enjoying.

The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, two Bears chasing the No. 1 seed within the NFC, hosted an thrilling primetime matchup within the Bay Space on Sunday evening.

The 49ers elevated their probabilities at that prime seed of their convention with an exciting 42-38 win.

The scoreboard continued to travel all evening, and it began with the primary offensive snap of the sport for the 49ers – however it wasn’t Brock Purdy and firm getting good subject place.

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Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a landing towards the Chicago Bears with teammate Ricky Pearsall #1 of the San Francisco 49ers through the first quarter of the sport at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)

As an alternative, Jaylon Johnson jumped a ball supposed for Jauan Jennings and ended with TJ Edwards selecting off the go and taking it again 34 yards for the pick-six simply 15 seconds into the sport.

The 49ers instantly discovered themselves trailing 7-0, however Purdy was unimpressed, and it confirmed on the following drive after the interception. San Francisco went downfield 9 performs and 65 yards, when Purdy discovered Jake Tonges, filling in for an injured George Kittle within the prime tight finish position, to tie the sport.

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After three consecutive punts, the 49ers and Bears would mix for 5 straight landing drives, beginning with Purdy dashing for a 10-yard landing run – the primary of two on the evening. It was arrange by a Christian McCaffrey run of 41 yards because the veteran had one other profitable week on the bottom.

Williams wished to indicate off his laser arm, although, when he noticed rookie Luther Burden III within the subject for a 35-yard strike to tie the sport at 14 apiece.

McCaffrey was capable of finding the tip zone early within the second quarter to cap a nine-play drive, however an offsides penalty by the 49ers on the following drive gave Williams a free go to seek out rookie tight finish Colston Loveland for a 36-yard landing.

Nonetheless, it was the 49ers who walked into the locker room with the lead, with Purdy capping a methodical 15-play drive together with his three-yard dashing landing, taking over almost 9 minutes of the second quarter.

To start out the second half, the Bears and 49ers every obtained only one drive within the third quarter, however they each earned touchdowns: Kyle Juszczyk for San Francisco and D’Andre Swift for Chicago. After Swift scored his second landing of the half, Williams’ offense and the Bears have been lastly in a position to regain the lead for the primary time for the reason that pick-6 to start out the sport.

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears warms up towards the San Francisco 49ers earlier than the sport at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Pictures)

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It wasn’t the landing head coach Ben Johnson wished, however a Cairo Santos subject aim gave Chicago a 38-35 lead with 5:22 to play within the recreation. There was nonetheless time for San Fran, although, and Purdy did not waste it.

Jennings was quiet all recreation with only one catch for 4 yards when Purdy hit him completely in stride, and he closed the space for a 38-yard landing catch-and-run to regain the lead.

The Bears’ four-point deficit meant Williams needed to discover the tip zone with simply over two minutes to play. They have been in a position to convert it on fourth-and-5, and after a nifty catch-and-pitch from Loveland to Swift, the Bears discovered themselves on the two-yard line with 4 seconds left.

Williams surveyed the tip zone and stored the play alive together with his legs, however he could not discover Jahdae Walker for the profitable landing.

On account of the loss, the Bears will not be the No. 1 seed. However, the 49ers are only one win away from securing victory as they play the Seattle Seahawks subsequent week.

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Within the field rating, McCaffrey gained 181 yards from scrimmage, together with 140 on the bottom on 23 carries together with his rating. Purdy was 24 of 33 passing for 303 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, whereas dashing for 28 yards and his two touchdowns.

For the Bears, Williams was 25 of 42 for 330 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Burden completed the evening with 138 receiving yards on eight catches together with his landing.

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