San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy outlast Chicago Bears
49ers QB Brock Purdy (#13) right, scrambles away from Chris Williams (#91) in the first half as the San Francisco 49ers played the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
12.28.25 – 49ers QB Brock Purdy threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings as San Francisco outlast the Chicago Bears 42-38 on Sunday night and set up a Week 18 showdown for the top seed in the NFC.
Purdy and the 49ers offense did everything they wanted for the first 58 minutes of the game in a nearly flawless performance.
With only 2:15 minutes left, the 49ers defense forced an incomplete pass on the final play from the two yard and goal, and at the end, the 49ers offense were just spectators as the beleaguered defense finally came through with a final stop.
Caleb Williams drove the Bears (11-5) down the field in the closing seconds and had one last shot for the win. But Bryce Huff forced him out of the pocket and his throw short-hopped Jahdae Walker in the end zone to seal a sixth straight victory for the 49ers (12-4).
“For them to finish out the game like that, I was so happy for them. I was sitting there not being able to do anything but watch,” Purdy said. “To be able to celebrate was a cool team win. There’s nothing like that. It was pretty special.”
2025.12.28 – (Chicago Bears at SF 49ers) NFL Game Highlights
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) dives for a touchdown behind a block by tight end Jake Tonges (88) during the first quarter of the 49ers game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
2025.12.28 – (Chicago Bears at SF 49ers) NFL Game Highlights
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter of the 49ers game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
That tremendous defense effort, gives the 49ers a chance to win the NFC West and get a bye by beating Seattle (13-3) in the season finale on Saturday night. A win would give San Francisco home-field advantage and a chance to stay home all postseason, with the Super Bowl set to be played at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8.
“We’ve earned this,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “This is the game we want. We love that it’s here. We have an opportunity to never leave here again this year.”
Purdy followed his career-high five TD-pass performance last week against Indianapolis by throwing for three scores and running for two to become the sixth player since the AFL-NFL merger with back-to-back games with at least five touchdowns.
Purdy finished 24 for 33 for 303 yards, while Christian McCaffrey ran for 140 yards and a score and added 41 more receiving.
Williams went 25 for 42 for 330 yards and two TDs but couldn’t deliver at the end after already leading the Bears to an NFL-record six comeback wins after trailing in the final two minutes of regulation.
“It’s frustrating,” Williams said. “You don’t want to lose a game ever. And then also, in that position, having a shot at the end is all you can ask for on this moment.”
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (Chat Sports Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers’ Jauan Jennings (#15) left, runs for the go-ahead touchdown in 4th quarter of Niners’ 42-38 win over Chicago Bears in NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (Chat Sports Post Game)
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (Chat Sports Post Game)
Neither defense could slow down the opposing offense for most of the night after a pick-6 by Chicago’s T.J. Edwards on the first play. The Niners led 28-21 at halftime.
The teams then traded touchdowns on the first three drives of the second half, with D’Andre Swift scoring on two runs for Chicago and Purdy delivering a highlight-reel play for San Francisco. He rolled to his right on a play from the 6, eluded two pass rushers and then flipped an easy TD pass to Kyle Juszczyk on a play that lasted longer than 8 seconds.
“I was hoping he’d throw it away and we’d have a couple more downs,” Shanahan said. “Then I started watching him like every fan does. He made me extremely nervous and then he made me extremely happy.”
The Bears finally forced a punt and went ahead 38-35 on a short field goal by Cairo Santos with 5:22 to play when they couldn’t convert on third down in the red zone.
The Bears’ opportunistic defense struck on the first play when Edwards caught a deflected pass and returned it 34 yards for Chicago’s first defensive score on the opening play in at least 45 years, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“It was early in the game so you do have to flush it and be ready to play a whole game after that,” Purdy said.
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
The 49ers defense celebrates after an incomplete pass in the end zone on the final play of the game as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 42-38 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (NFL – RS Post Game)
2025.12.28 – Chicago Bears at SF 49ers (NFL – RS Post Game)
Purdy answered his big mistake to start the game with a 65-yard touchdown drive capped by a 1-yard pass to Jake Tonges, and San Francisco moved the ball with ease all half.
Purdy added two touchdown runs and McCaffrey also scored on the ground to give the 49ers a 28-21 lead at the break despite allowing two deep TD passes by Williams.
Injuries
Bears: LB Noah Sewell left in the third quarter with an ankle injury. … DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (concussion) left the game. … WR Olamide Zaccheaus was a late scratch with an illness.
49ers: LT Trent Williams (hamstring) left after getting hurt on the opening play and never returned. … CB Upton Stout (concussion) left in the second half. … TE George Kittle (ankle) was inactive.
Up next (49ers Roster)
Bears: Host Detroit on Sunday.
49ers: Host Seattle on Saturday night.
Related: Brock Purdy’s Five TDs leads 49ers to victory over Colts
Related: See below – 49ers rally to beat Lions and secure Super Bowl trip
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
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