San Francisco 49ers Outlast Chicago Bears 42-38 in Instant Classic

Santa Clara, CA – On December 28, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 42-38 in one of the most electrifying and highest-scoring games of the 2025 NFL season. The Week 17 Sunday Night Football matchup at Levi’s Stadium delivered 80 total points, multiple lead changes, and a historic five ties at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 points — marking the first time in regular-season NFL history that a game has tied at those exact five scores.

The victory improved the 49ers to 12-4, keeping their NFC West title aspirations and potential path to the No. 1 seed in the conference very much alive heading into their decisive Week 18 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears fell to 11-5 but had already secured the NFC North championship earlier in the season.

Game Breakdown: Non-Stop Offensive Fireworks

The Bears opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, intercepting Brock Purdy on the game’s first play and returning it for a pick-six by linebacker T.J. Edwards just 15 seconds in, taking a 7-0 lead. Purdy responded immediately, orchestrating a touchdown drive that ended with a score to backup tight end Jake Tonges (filling in for the injured George Kittle).

From that point forward, both offenses took over:

• Chicago’s Caleb Williams threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-42 passing, connecting on big plays to rookie standout Luther Burden III (8 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD) and tight end Colston Loveland.
• D’Andre Swift powered the Bears’ running game, scoring twice on the ground, including a 22-yard touchdown to briefly tie the game late.
• Brock Purdy delivered a career-defining performance for San Francisco, completing 24-of-33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns while adding two rushing scores — giving him five total touchdowns in the game, his second consecutive five-TD outing, joining an elite list in NFL history.
• Christian McCaffrey contributed 181 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, proving once again why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat weapons.

The fourth quarter provided maximum drama. The Bears took a 38-35 lead on a Cairo Santos field goal with 5:22 remaining. Purdy answered with a game-winning drive, finishing it off with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 left to put San Francisco ahead 42-38.

Chicago mounted one final drive, advancing to the 2-yard line, but Williams’ last-second pass into the end zone fell incomplete as time expired, securing the 49ers’ hard-fought victory.

Key Injuries

San Francisco left tackle Trent Williams was forced to exit early with a hamstring injury. Both teams played through minor bumps, but the offenses never slowed.

Playoff Outlook

With this result, the 49ers control their own destiny for the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs — a win over Seattle in Week 18 would lock it in. The Bears remain firmly positioned as a top seed in the conference and will host Detroit in their regular-season finale.

This high-octane contest showcased the explosive potential of two young quarterbacks — Williams in his breakout sophomore campaign and Purdy continuing to silence doubters — and solidified the NFC as one of the most competitive conferences in football.