The San Francisco 49ers survived a wild finish and a star turn from a rookie quarterback, edging the Chicago Bears 42-38 on December 28 at Levi’s Stadium. It was San Francisco’s sixth straight win, and it keeps the NFC’s top seed within reach heading into a Week 18 showdown with Seattle. In a game full of swings, Brock Purdy shook off an early pick-six to account for five touchdowns, while the 49ers’ defense held at the 2-yard line on the final snap to seal it.

The box score had fireworks from the start. The Bears led the quarters 14-7-7-10, but the 49ers matched and passed them with 14-14-7-7. In the end, San Francisco improved to 12-4 (434 points for, 358 allowed). Chicago fell to 11-5 (425 points for, 396 allowed), still NFC North champs but no longer in control for the top seed.

Goal-line drama: Bryce Huff and a final stand

Everything came down to one play. Trailing by four with seconds left, the Bears had the ball at San Francisco’s 2-yard line. Caleb Williams scanned and fired toward Jahdae Walker in the end zone. Edge rusher Bryce Huff collapsed the pocket just enough, and the throw sailed incomplete. Levi’s Stadium exhaled.

It was a fitting close to a game where the 49ers bent often but held when it mattered. Chicago moved the ball. Williams was sharp. But San Francisco’s defense answered the last call.

“That goal-line pressure by Huff felt like January football.”

Brock Purdy turns a pick-six into a statement night

Purdy’s first big moment was actually a mistake: a pick-six that put San Francisco behind early. Many quarterbacks get rattled by that. He did not. He went 24-of-33 for 303 yards and three touchdown passes, added six runs for 28 yards, and punched in two rushing scores. Five total touchdowns, and for the second straight week he crossed the five-TD mark.

History was made in the process. Purdy is the first 49ers player ever with 300+ passing yards, three passing TDs, and two or more rushing TDs in a game. Since the AFL-NFL merger, he is now one of only a handful of players to record back-to-back games with five or more touchdowns.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan put it plainly afterward: “Brock had a hell of a game, again… made some huge plays… was an assassin out there throughout the whole day.” The word assassin fit the fourth quarter. With 2:15 left, Purdy dropped a 38-yard strike to Jauan Jennings down the left side for the go-ahead score. Earlier, he zipped a 1-yard touchdown to tight end Jake Tonges at the goal line and powered in two QB keepers. Christian McCaffrey, as usual, found the paint too with a short rushing TD.

“Is Purdy the NFC’s most dangerous QB right now?”

Caleb Williams shows poise in first 300-yard game

Across the field, the No. 1 overall pick played like a veteran. Williams posted 330 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. It was his first 300-yard game of the 2025 season, and it came on the road, against a defense that has closed games well all month.

Afterward, Williams was direct about the near-miss. “It’s frustrating, obviously… We made too many mistakes as a team,” he said. Chicago scored 38 and moved the ball all day, but empty red-zone snaps and that final throw will sting during film review.

“Eleven wins are nice, but clean up the red zone or January gets short.”

Key plays that swung a 42-38 classic

• Purdy’s response to adversity: After the early pick-six, he led a balanced drive capped by a short touchdown run to steady San Francisco.
• Short-yardage trust: The 1-yard TD pass to Jake Tonges showed the 49ers had answers near the goal line besides McCaffrey.
• Explosive dagger: With 2:15 left, Purdy found Jauan Jennings for a 38-yard touchdown that flipped the game and the stadium.
• Huff’s closer: On the final snap, Bryce Huff’s pressure forced an off-target throw to Jahdae Walker. Ballgame.

Why this win matters for the NFC top seed

The path is simple now: beat Seattle, and the 49ers can grab the NFC’s No. 1 seed, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage. The Seahawks are 13-3, so Week 18 is a true test. The stakes are even higher because Super Bowl LIX is scheduled for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium. Earning the top seed would keep San Francisco in its own building for as long as it plays.

San Francisco’s surge is real. Six straight wins, 12-4 overall, and the offense has hit overdrive with Purdy at the controls. The defense has given up yards, but it is delivering late stops. That is the mix that wins in January.

Where the Bears stand after Santa Clara

Chicago already owns the NFC North and sits at 11-5. The top seed is out of reach now, but the No. 2 seed is still on the table with a home game against Detroit (8-8) in Week 18. The good news: Williams is trending up and avoided turnovers in a high-pressure spot. The to-do list: better in the red zone and cleaner in late-game protection.

This loss will frustrate Matt Eberflus and staff because the Bears matched San Francisco’s energy for four quarters. But the bigger picture remains bright. If Chicago tightens situational football, it can be a problem in the NFC bracket.

The numbers that tell the story

• Score by quarters: Bears 14-7-7-10; 49ers 14-14-7-7.
• 49ers record: 12-4 (.750), 434 points scored, 358 allowed.
• Bears record: 11-5 (.688), 425 points scored, 396 allowed.
• Purdy: 24/33, 303 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 6 rushes, 28 yards, 2 TD (five total).
• Williams: 330 passing yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (first 300-yard game of 2025).

Final word

This felt like a playoff game because it was played like one. Purdy was calm and bold after the early mistake. Williams answered punch for punch. And with everything on the line, the 49ers’ pass rush made the snap that mattered most.

Now comes Week 18. If San Francisco beats 13-3 Seattle, the road to the Super Bowl may run through Santa Clara. If Chicago cleans up the little things, it will be a tough out no matter where it plays. December delivered drama; January is ready for more.