At a Glance
- 49ers win 42-38 over Bears, securing NFC West lead.
- Brock Purdy’s late touchdown and final defensive stop seal the win.
- Bears lose chance for top seed; 49ers eye a bye with a win over Seattle.
Why it matters: This game determines playoff seeding and gives the 49ers home-field advantage for the postseason.
In a high-stakes Week 18 showdown, the 49ers edged the Bears 42-38, thanks to Brock Purdy‘s late 38-yard touchdown pass and a defensive stop that sealed a sixth straight victory.
Game Summary
The 49ers’ offense dominated for the first 58 minutes, but the Bears’ defense finally cracked in the final moments. Brock Purdy‘s 38-yard touchdown to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 left and the forced incomplete pass from the 2-yard line secured the victory. Caleb Williams led the Bears with 330 yards and two touchdowns, but a forced pass short-hopped to Jahdae Walker sealed the loss.
- 49ers: 42 points, 303 passing yards, 140 rushing yards
- Bears: 38 points, 330 passing yards, 2 touchdowns
Key Performances
Brock Purdy finished 24-for-33 for 303 yards, adding two rushing touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey contributed 140 rushing yards, a score, and 41 receiving yards.
Caleb Williams went 25-for-42 for 330 yards and 2 touchdowns, but could not finish the game.
Defensive Highlights
The Bears’ defense started strong with a pick-6 by T.J. Edwards on the opening play, but the 49ers defense forced the decisive stop on the final play.
Brock Purdy stated:
> “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… To be able to celebrate was a cool team win. There’s nothing like that. It was pretty special.”
Kyle Shanahan said:
> “We’ve earned this… This is the game we want. We love that it’s here. We have an opportunity to never leave here again this year.”
Caleb Williams added:
> “It’s frustrating… 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.”
Kyle Shanahan also commented:
> “I was hoping he’d throw it away and we’d have a couple more downs… Then I started watching him like every fan does. He made me extremely nervous and then he made my extremely happy.”
Brock Purdy said:
> “It was early in the game so you do have to flush it and be ready to play a whole game after that.”
Injuries
- Bears: LB Noah Sewell (ankle injury), DE Joe Tryon-Shohki (concussion), WR Olamide Zaccheaus (illness scratch)
- 49ers: LT Trent Williams (hamstring), CB Upton Stout (concussion), TE George Kittle (ankle inactive)
Upcoming Games
- Bears: Host Detroit Sunday.
- 49ers: Host Seattle Saturday night.
Key Takeaways
- 49ers secure NFC West lead and a bye with a 42-38 win.
- Brock Purdy’s late touchdown and defensive stop were decisive.
- Bears lose chance for top seed; next game vs Detroit.
The 49ers’ victory not only cements their playoff position but also keeps the possibility of a home-field advantage for the entire postseason alive.
