Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 17): 49ers 42, Bears 38 – Chicago Comes Up Short in Bay Area Shootout

The Bears, fresh off clinching the NFC North when the Packers lost to Baltimore Saturday night, tried to push for the number one seed in the conference against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Sunday night. It was a wild affair and defense was almost impossible to find, but this time QB Caleb Williams and company came up just short on the final drive and the home team escaped with a narrow victory.

Chicago got the best possible start to the contest when San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy had his first pass deflected and intercepted by linebacker T.J. Edwards, who returned it 34-yards for a touchdown. That lead did not last long though when Purdy connected with tight end Jake Tonges for a 1-yard TD that tied the score at 7-7 on the ensuing drive.

Later in the first quarter, the 49ers quarterback ran in a touchdown himself from 10 yards out to give them a 14-7 advantage. The Bears answered quickly when Williams hit a 35-yard touchdown pass to Luther Burden III to even things again.

The offenses did not slow down at all at the start of the second quarter with RB Christian McCaffrey taking a sweep to the end zone for a 5-yard score that put the Niners in front 21-14. It took Chicago just three plays to race up the field and connect on a 36-yard touchdown heave to TE Colston Loveland on free play after the defense jumped offside.

San Francisco got a second rushing touchdown from their quarterback right before the half and held a 28-21 edge at the break. The Bears marched down the field to open the third quarter and running back D’Andre Swift punched it in from 2-yards out and things were deadlocked again.

Chicago’s defense continued to lack answers and fullback Kyle Juszczyk pulled in a 6 yard TD reception to put the home team back on top 35-28 entering the fourth quarter. Another impressive drive by the road side concluded on a 22-yard scamper by Swift for his second touchdown of the evening and the game was tied for a fifth time.

The Bears finally held 49ers without scoring and got the ball back halfway through the final quarter. They drove into the red zone but were forced to settle for a 29-yard Cairo Santos field goal that gave them a 38-35 lead with about five minutes left. Unfortunately, San Francisco did not get stymied in the red zone and wideout Jauan Jennings hauled in a 38-yard touchdown to move them back ahead 42-38 right before the two-minute warning.

Williams showed no panic in another late game situation and moved Chicago all the way down to the 4 yard line with four seconds remaining. This time, however, the fourth quarter magic did not materialize and the final pass of the game fell incomplete allowing the 49ers to hang on for the win. (Box score)

Why the Bears Lost

The defense could not stop the 49ers at all giving up 496 total yards and six touchdowns.

Key Moment

This game really felt like the first team to be forced to kick a field goal would be the loser. The Bears were that team late in the fourth quarter and it ended up being the difference in the score.

Stats That Matter

• Williams was brilliant in this one throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns it just wasn’t enough.
• Burden had a huge game with 138 yards and a touchdown but he appeared to injure his leg on the final play Sunday.
• Loveland continues to break out in the second half of the season with 94 yards and a touchdown.

Bottom Line

Probably the Bears biggest liability is the defense, especially the secondary and it was exposed by the 49ers Sunday. That being said, the offense is really starting to hit its stride as the playoffs approach. Chicago can still earn the number two seed if they win in Week 18 and they demonstrated they can definitely hang with the possible number one seed at their stadium. This is going to be one of the most unpredictable postseasons in recent memory, Ben Johnson’s squad is absolutely capable of making a lot of noise in January.

Next Up

The Bears wrap up the regular season at Soldier Field against the Lions Sunday, January 4 at 3:25pm CT on FOX.