If you turned off the 49ers game last night before the final whistle, you missed what many are already calling the game of the year.
In a high-stakes Week 17 clash that felt more like a January playoff battle than a December regular-season finale, the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) outlasted the Chicago Bears (11-5) in a 42-38 shootout.
With a combined 80 points and nearly 1,000 yards of total offense, the atmosphere at Levi’s Stadium was electric as two of the NFC’s most potent offenses went drive-for-drive in a primetime masterpiece.
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49ers vs bears
The 49ers vs bears matchup was a game of wild momentum swings from the very first snap.
Just 15 seconds into the game, Brock Purdy’s first pass was deflected and intercepted by Chicago linebacker T.J. Edwards, who returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
While many teams would have crumbled after such a disastrous start, Kyle Shanahan’s squad stayed composed.
The game quickly evolved into a “score-for-score” marathon.
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Every time the 49ers game found the end zone, the “cardiac Bears” led by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson found an answer.
The score was knotted at 14, 21, 28, and 35 throughout the evening.
It wasn’t until the final two minutes that the sf 49ers finally secured the lead for good, surviving a frantic 15-play, 63-yard drive by Chicago that ended just two yards short of a game-winning touchdown.
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Brock Purdy
49ers game: Once again, Brock Purdy proved why he is a legitimate MVP candidate.
Despite that early pick-six, Purdy produced a historic performance, tallying five total touchdowns (three passing, two rushing).
This makes him the first quarterback in franchise history to record at least 300 passing yards and five total touchdowns in back-to-back games.
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49ers game: His ability to manipulate the pocket was on full display, particularly during a “Houdini-like” scramble in the third quarter to find Kyle Juszczyk for a score.
Purdy finished the night with 303 passing yards and a 118.6 passer rating, further silencing critics who question his ability to win high-scoring shootouts.
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Caleb Williams
On the other side of the ball, the Chicago Bears quarterback was nothing short of sensational.
Caleb Williams delivered a season-high 330 passing yards and two touchdowns, showing remarkable poise under the primetime lights of Santa Clara.
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49ers game: Williams used his legs to extend plays, frequently eluding the 49ers’ pass rush to find rookies Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland for big gains.
Although the Bears’ score fell just short, Williams’ performance solidified his status as one of the elite young signal-callers in the NFL today.
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Christian McCaffrey stats
49ers game: The engine of the 49ers’ offense remains “CMC.” The Christian McCaffrey stats from last night’s victory are staggering:
- Rushing: 23 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: 4 catches, 41 yards
- Milestone: Set the 49ers franchise record for most catches by a running back in a single season (96).
49ers game: McCaffrey currently leads the NFL with 2,069 yards from scrimmage.
His 5-yard touchdown run in the second half provided the stability the 49ers needed when the Bears’ defense began to tighten up.
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Jauan Jennings
While the superstars grabbed the headlines, Jauan Jennings proved once again why he is the “Third and Jauan” hero of this team.
Jennings had a quiet night for three and a half quarters, but he surfaced when it mattered most.
49ers game: With 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter and the 49ers trailing 38-35, Purdy lofted a 38-yard “bread-basket” throw to Jennings, who hauled it in for the game-winning touchdown.
It was a clutch moment that underscored the depth of the 49ers players roster.
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49ers vs chicago bears match player stats
To truly appreciate the offensive explosion, one only needs to look at the 49ers vs chicago bears match player stats summary:
| Player | Team | Pass/Rush Yds | TDs |
| Brock Purdy | SF | 303 Pass / 28 Rush | 5 (3 Pass, 2 Rush) |
| Caleb Williams | CHI | 330 Pass / 15 Rush | 2 |
| Christian McCaffrey | SF | 140 Rush / 41 Rec | 1 |
| D’Andre Swift | CHI | 88 Rush / 32 Rec | 2 |
| Luther Burden III | CHI | 138 Receiving | 1 |
| Jauan Jennings | SF | 42 Receiving | 1 |
Levi’s Stadium
The victory at Levi’s Stadium keeps San Francisco’s hopes for the NFC’s No. 1 seed alive heading into the final week of the season.
The fans in Santa Clara were treated to a 15-play defensive stand at the goal line to end the game, with Tatum Bethune and the secondary holding firm as Williams’ final pass hit the turf at the 4-second mark.
The 49ers now turn their attention to a massive season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, where a win could secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
