Bears vs. 49ers: San Francisco outlasts Chicago in high-stakes thriller to keep No. 1 seed hopes afloat
- - Bears vs. 49ers: San Francisco outlasts Chicago in high-stakes thriller to keep No. 1 seed hopes afloat
Frank Schwab December 29, 2025 at 10:05 AM
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Maybe Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers can outscore everyone on the way to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers are scoring at will lately. Purdy is playing as well as any quarterback in the NFL. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan is the hottest play-caller in the league. The defense … well, the defense might be a problem in the playoffs, but San Francisco's offense looks unstoppable.
The 49ers gave up 38 points Sunday night and still won a wildly entertaining and crucial game against the Chicago Bears. Purdy accounted for five touchdowns, including a 38-yard score to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 remaining to give the 49ers the lead.
Caleb Williams, who had a big game, drove the Bears downfield and had the Bears on the 2-yard line with four seconds to go. The 49ers forced an incompletion on the final play to hang on to a 42-38 win.
THE NINERS WIN. WHAT A GAME. pic.twitter.com/3ndM5VUnSq
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
The 49ers will host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night with the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line.
The highlight of the night for Purdy came in the third quarter, when he avoided the pass rush as he rolled left, split two defensive linemen to step up and tossed it to Kyle Juszczyk for the touchdown. Purdy has been on fire the past few weeks and he was fantastic Sunday night. The 49ers didn’t have tight end George Kittle, who was out with injury, and they lost offensive tackle Trent Williams on the first play of the game with a hamstring injury. It didn’t matter because Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, who had 181 total yards, were dominant.
With the win, the 49ers set up a huge home game for Week 18. Since Super Bowl LX will be in Santa Clara, a win next weekend means the 49ers will not play another road game this season.
Make it happen PURDY‼️📺: NBCNFL+// https://t.co/Zkva0Y3QRR pic.twitter.com/UJ4PSfOHmi
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 29, 2025
Scoring explosion in first half for both teams
The first half was one of the most eventful of the season.
It started with Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards picking off Purdy on the first play of the game and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately for Chicago, that was one of the few things its defense did right in the first half.
WHAT A START 🔥📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/2rIlBk7Yrh
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 29, 2025
Purdy had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown by the end of the first quarter. Williams had a 35-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III in the first quarter. It was the first NFL game this season in which both teams scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, NBC said on its broadcast.
Neither offense was done. Williams had a 36-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland. McCaffrey scored on a touchdown run, and then Purdy had another rushing touchdown. There were 49 points in the first half alone.
Last week, the 49ers scored on seven of their first eight drives against the Indianapolis Colts, and the other drive was a missed field goal. The game before that against Tennessee, San Francisco scored on seven of eight drives, with a fumble ruining a shot at a perfect game. The Bears did force one punt in the first half, and it was San Francisco’s first punt since Nov. 30. Their offense has been on a tear, and it continued against Chicago.
Bears, 49ers make NFL history
The points kept coming in the second half. The game was tied 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28 and 35-35. It’s the first time in NFL history that has happened. Both offenses were putting on a great show, but both defenses looked like a potential roadblock to making a playoff run.
The 49ers finally got stopped in the second half. They had a fourth-and-7 on the Bears’ 43-yard line in a tie game. Shanahan could have gone for it, but he punted. The trust in his defense was misplaced. The Bears drove downfield, but the 49ers held the Bears to a field goal. Chicago led 38-35 with 5:22 left.
The way the 49ers' offense had moved the ball most of the night, getting at least a field goal to tie the game seemed inevitable. Purdy hit Jennings on a crossing route and Jennings took it the rest of the way for a 38-yard score. It was Purdy’s fifth touchdown of the night, with three passing and two rushing. The only problem seemed to be that the 49ers' defense had to hold for 2:15 to win the game.
The Bears got into 49ers territory with more than a minute to play. Williams hit Burden for a huge 14-yard gain on third-and-10 to keep the drive going. The Bears then faced a fourth-and-5 with 33 seconds left and Williams hit Loveland for the first down. A hook-and-ladder play got the Bears to the 2-yard line, giving them just one more play after spiking the ball. Williams couldn’t find anyone open as he scrambled around and threw incomplete into the end zone.
The 49ers know their defense will have to get some stops to win a championship. But their offense is no question at all.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER43 updates -
Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:47 PM GMT+8Ryan Young49ers-Seahawks for the No. 1 seed
The winner of this contest on Saturday night will not only claim the NFC West title, but will also get the No. 1 seed in the conference and the bye in the first round of the playoffs.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Time: 8 p.m.Location: Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CaliforniaTV: ABC/ESPN
🚨 WEEK 18 SCHEDULE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/c4kM67GCmR
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:39 PM GMT+8Ryan YoungLuther Burden is being carted off the field
After recording a team-high 138 yards and a touchdown on eight catches, Luther Burden is now being carted off the field. He went down on that final play.
Burden is now getting carted off the field https://t.co/rcnQsddSRn
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 29, 2025
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:37 PM GMT+8Ryan YoungBrock Purdy vs. Caleb Williams
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM GMT+8Ryan Young49ers can still win the No. 1 seed
The path to the No. 1 seed in the NFC is firmly in San Francisco's control. If the 49ers beat the Seahawks next week, the bye is theirs.
The Bears, however, can no longer claim the top seed.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM GMT+8Ryan YoungFINAL: 49ers 42, Bears 38
San Francisco came up with one last stop, and this incredible "Sunday Night Football" matchup is theirs.
THE NINERS WIN. WHAT A GAME. pic.twitter.com/3ndM5VUnSq
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:34 PM GMT+8Ryan Young49ers get the stop!
Caleb Williams came so close there after scrambling up the left side, but Walker couldn't quite make the grab. San Francisco has pulled off a wild win.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM GMT+8Ryan Young4 seconds left!
WHAT A PLAY TO GET THE FIRST DOWN. 4 SECONDS LEFT.CHIvsSF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/V8nXNT4C8P
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM GMT+8Ryan Young
The Bears have converted the first down after Williams found a wide open Loveland in the middle of the field. They've got 26 seconds left to get into the end zone.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM GMT+8Ryan YoungBears looking at a 4th and 5
Caleb Williams couldn't get it to Luther Burden there on the sidelines, so the Bears are looking at a fourth down with 33 seconds left. Here we go...
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM GMT+8Ryan Young
The Bears are driving and slowly getting into scoring position...
Huge conversion by @lutherburden3 ‼️📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/sl18Gi4VZP
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 29, 2025
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:15 PM GMT+8Ryan YoungBears down 4 with 2:15 left
The Bears will have all three of their timeouts, and the two minute warning, when they get the ball back. But a field goal won't cut it.
Let's see if Caleb Williams can pull off another game winning drive...
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM GMT+8Ryan Young49ers take the lead!
Brock Purdy just found Jauan Jennings cutting across the middle of the field there, and he broke all the way down 38 yards to the end zone.
JAUAN JENNINGS 38-YARD TD FOR THE LEAD.CHIvsSF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/CaLRiHAFQT
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
The 49ers are up 42-38 now with 2:15 to go.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM GMT+8Ryan Young
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM GMT+8Ryan YoungBears settle for a field goal
For the first time tonight, we have a field goal.
The Bears got all the way inside the 10 yard line — thanks to a huge 32-yard gain from Loveland — but their drive stalled out. The 49ers nearly intercepted Caleb Williams there on third down, too.
So Cairo Santos came out to hit a 29-yard field goal, and the Bears are up 38-35 with 5:22 left in the game.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM GMT+8Ryan YoungHey, a stop!
This scoring run has finally been broken up. The Bears got to Brock Purdy there and forced an awkward missed throw on third down, so the 49ers have to punt for the second time tonight.
The Bears will take over from their own 11 now with 11:23 left in the game.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 11:48 AM GMT+8Ryan YoungA ridiculous stat from NBC
This stat from the NBC broadcast sums up the game perfectly. For the first time in a regular season NFL game, we've been tied at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 tonight.
That's only happened one other time in NFL history, in a playoff game back in 2013 between the Ravens and Broncos.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 11:46 AM GMT+8Ryan YoungD'Andre Swift again!
D'Andre Swift broke through the line and pulled off a 22-yard run to tie this game up on the first play of the fourth quarter. That's his second touchdown of the night, and we're tied up once again.
This game is not slowing down...
D'Andre Swift ties it up again!CHIvsSF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ktNXWAGdn7
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM GMT+8Ryan YoungEnd of 3: 49ers 35, Bears 28
The Bears could have attempted a field goal there on fourth down, but they opted to go for it from five yards out and pulled it off. They're in scoring position once again when we come back.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM GMT+8Ryan YoungPurdy scrambles before finding Juszczyk!
Brock Purdy somehow managed to avoid the sack there, and then stepped up to find an open Kyle Juszczyk in the end zone! Naturally, Purdy started dancing immediately.
BROCK IS DANCING.CHIvsSF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/X1C386zlTv
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
San Francisco is in the lead again, 35-28, with 4:52 left in the third quarter.
- Mon, December 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM GMT+8Ryan YoungBears open third quarter with a TD!
And we've picked up right where we left off. D'Andre Swift capped a 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter, and this game is tied once again.
D'Andre Swift makes it a 28-28 game!CHIvsSF on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/5m00RlS9P4
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
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Source: “AOL Sports”
