The Bears and 49ers played one of the best games of the 2025 NFL season on December 28, 2025. The final score? San Francisco 49ers 42, Chicago Bears 38. It was played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sunday Night Football.
This was not a blowout. This was a fight. Both teams scored five touchdowns each. The game was tied — 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28, and 35-35 — at five different points. That has never happened before in NFL regular-season history.
Let’s go through every stat, player, and moment that made this game special.
Final Score and Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Winner | San Francisco 49ers |
| Score | 49ers 42 – Bears 38 |
| Date | December 28, 2025 |
| Location | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
| Broadcast | NBC / Sunday Night Football |
| Bears Record After | 11-5 |
| 49ers Record After | 12-4 |
Team Stats: Bears vs 49ers Side-by-Side
| Stat | Chicago Bears | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 440 | 496 |
| Passing Yards | 330 | 303 |
| Rushing Yards | 54 | 140 |
| 1st Downs | 26 | 32 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 6/12 (50%) | 7/10 (70%) |
| 4th Down Conv. | 2/2 (100%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Red Zone Scoring | 1/3 (33%) | 5/5 (100%) |
| Penalties | 7 for 39 yds | 5 for 55 yds |
| Time of Possession | 26:27 | 33:33 |
| Touchdowns | 5 | 6 |
| Total Points | 38 | 42 |
The 49ers were near-perfect in the red zone. Going 5-for-5 is rare. The Bears could not match that. That is the key reason Chicago lost despite putting up 38 points.
Chicago Bears Player Stats
Caleb Williams – Quarterback
Caleb Williams had the best game of his young NFL career. He did not panic. He kept pushing back every time the 49ers scored.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 25/42 |
| Passing Yards | 330 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 100.3 |
| Rushing Yards | (included in team total) |
Key Moment: With 26 seconds left and the Bears down 42-38, Williams moved the ball to the San Francisco 13-yard line. His final pass fell just short of the end zone as time expired.
Williams also set a Bears franchise record in this game. He passed Jay Cutler’s 2014 mark to become the third-best single-season passer in Bears history with 3,681 yards at that point of the season.
Luther Burden III – Wide Receiver (Rookie)
Luther Burden had a monster night. As a rookie, this was a statement game.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 8 |
| Receiving Yards | 138 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Long Reception | 35 yards (TD) |
His 35-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter was a masterpiece. Williams dropped the ball into a tight window, and Burden hauled it in perfectly. He was the Bears’ top receiver all night.
Colston Loveland – Tight End (Rookie)
Another rookie. Another massive game.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 6 |
| Receiving Yards | 94 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Long Reception | 36 yards (TD) |
Loveland had the Bears’ second touchdown — a 36-yard pass on a free play after the 49ers were called offsides. He also had two big catches on the final drive, including a 13-yard grab on 4th-and-5 that kept the comeback alive.
D’Andre Swift – Running Back
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Carries | 9 |
| Rushing Yards | 54 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 |
Swift scored both his TDs in the second half — a 2-yard run to tie it 28-28 and a 22-yard run to tie it 35-35. He was clutch when Chicago needed it most.
Bears Defense
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Sacks | 1 (Aquon Booker) |
| Tackles (Leader) | T.J. Edwards – 9 total (6 solo) |
| Interceptions | 1 (T.J. Edwards – Pick-6, 34 yards) |
T.J. Edwards had the play of the first quarter. He jumped a route and ran it back 34 yards for a pick-six. That gave the Bears a 7-0 lead just 30 seconds into the game.
The defense gave up too much on the ground. McCaffrey ran for 140 yards. That was a problem all night.
Read: Toronto Blue Jays vs Dodgers Match Player Stats & Full Breakdown 2026
San Francisco 49ers Player Stats
Brock Purdy – Quarterback
Purdy had a historic night — even with that early pick-six.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 24/33 |
| Passing Yards | 303 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 118.6 |
| Rushing Yards | 28 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 |
He became the first 49ers QB ever to throw for 300+ yards, get 3 TD passes, and add 2 rushing TDs in the same game. He also had three straight games with 3+ touchdown passes — a first for him.
With this game, Purdy also passed Jimmy Garoppolo to become 7th on the 49ers’ all-time passing touchdown list with 83 career TDs.
Key Moment: The game-winning throw. Down 38-35 with 2:15 left, Purdy found Jauan Jennings on a 38-yard strike to make it 42-38. That was the final score.
Christian McCaffrey – Running Back
McCaffrey did not play like someone who had the ball 399 times this season. He was still the best player on the field.
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Carries | 23 |
| Rushing Yards | 140 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Receptions | 4 |
| Receiving Yards | 41 |
| Total Yards | 181 |
Season records he set in this game:
- Most receptions by a 49ers RB in a single season: 96
- Most total touches in 49ers franchise history in one season: 399
- Season total of 2,069 scrimmage yards — only the 6th player since 1990 with 3 seasons of 2,000+ yards
He had 18 carries for 121 yards in the first half alone. That is the most rushing yards in the first half of any game in his entire career.
Jauan Jennings – Wide Receiver
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | Not listed individually |
| Receiving Yards | Part of 303 total |
| Receiving TDs | 1 (the game-winner, 38 yards) |
Jennings scored the TD that sealed the game. It was his ninth receiving TD of the season. He had scored in five straight games.
Jake Tonges – Tight End
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 7 |
| Receiving Yards | 60 (career-high) |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
With George Kittle out injured, Tonges stepped up. Seven catches for 60 yards is a strong night for any tight end, let alone a backup.
Kyle Juszczyk – Fullback
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 2 |
| Receiving Yards | 14 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
His TD was one of the most fun plays of the night. Purdy escaped the rush, rolled left, split two defenders, and found Juszczyk wide open in the end zone. Purdy started dancing right after. It gave SF a 35-28 lead.
Ricky Pearsall – Wide Receiver
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 5 |
| Receiving Yards | 85 |
Pearsall was the top WR on the stat sheet for the 49ers. Five solid catches on a night where everyone contributed.
49ers Defense
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Tackles (Leader) | T. Bethune – 11 total (7 solo) |
| Key Stop | Final play – stopped Williams’ pass at the 2-yard line |
The 49ers defense was beaten up all night. But they made the one stop that mattered — on the final play of the game.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Bears | 49ers | Key Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 14 | 14 | T.J. Edwards pick-6; Purdy rushing TD; Williams TD pass to Burden |
| Q2 | 21 | 28 | Williams 36-yd TD to Loveland; Purdy adds 2 more TDs |
| Q3 | 28 | 35 | Swift 2-yd TD run; Purdy finds Juszczyk in end zone |
| Q4 | 38 | 42 | Swift 22-yd TD run; Bears FG for 38-35 lead; Purdy 38-yd TD pass to Jennings |
49 points were scored in the first half alone. It was the fastest-scoring game of the 2025 NFL season.
3 Things That Decided the Game
1. The 49ers Were Perfect in the Red Zone
The 49ers went 5-for-5 in the red zone. Every single time they got close, they scored a TD. The Bears went 1-for-3. In a game this close, that gap decided it.
2. McCaffrey Was Too Much to Stop
The Bears gave up 140 rushing yards to McCaffrey. He ran for 121 yards in the first half alone. Chicago’s run defense was a weakness all season — they gave up 192 to the Packers the week before and 186 to the Steelers in Week 12. That is a trend they need to fix for the playoffs.
3. Purdy Made the Clutch Throw
With 2:15 left and the Bears ahead 38-35, Purdy had to be great. He was. The 38-yard TD to Jennings was a perfect throw under pressure. Williams had the ball back with a chance to win, but he ran out of time.
Historic Facts from This Game
- First time in NFL history a regular-season game was tied at 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28, and 35-35
- Purdy: First 49ers QB with 300 pass yards, 3 TD passes, and 2 rushing TDs in one game
- Purdy: 3rd straight game with 3+ TD passes — first time in his career
- McCaffrey: Most receptions by an RB in a single season in 49ers history (96)
- McCaffrey: Most total touches in 49ers franchise history in one season (399)
- Williams: 3rd most single-season passing yards in Bears history at 3,681
- The two teams combined for 11 touchdowns and 936 total yards
All-Time Series: Bears vs 49ers Head-to-Head
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Games Played | 71 (includes 3 playoff games) |
| Bears Wins | 33 |
| 49ers Wins | 37 |
| Ties | 1 |
| 49ers Record at Home | 24-14 |
The 49ers now lead the all-time series 37-33-1. San Francisco has also beaten Chicago in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1974-75.
What This Game Means Going Forward?
For the Bears:
Chicago lost, but they still went 11-5 and won the NFC North. They secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Williams showed he can compete with the best QBs in the league. Two rookie pass-catchers — Burden and Loveland — look like real weapons for years to come.
For the 49ers:
San Francisco went 12-4 and set up a massive Week 18 game vs. the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed. McCaffrey and Purdy looked unbeatable when healthy. Head coach Kyle Shanahan went 4-2 against the Bears for his career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What was the final score of Bears vs 49ers in Week 17 2025? A: The San Francisco 49ers won 42-38 over the Chicago Bears.
Q: How many yards did Caleb Williams throw for against the 49ers? A: Williams completed 25 of 42 passes for 330 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 interceptions. His passer rating was 100.3.
Q: How did Brock Purdy play vs the Bears? A: Purdy went 24-for-33 for 303 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran for 2 touchdowns and 28 yards. His passer rating was 118.6.
Q: How many yards did Christian McCaffrey rush for? A: McCaffrey had 23 carries for 140 rushing yards and 1 TD. He also caught 4 passes for 41 yards. Total: 181 yards from scrimmage.
Q: Who scored the winning touchdown for the 49ers? A: Jauan Jennings caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy with 2:15 left in the 4th quarter to give SF a 42-38 lead.
Q: Did the Bears have a chance to win at the end? A: Yes. Williams drove the Bears to the 49ers’ 2-yard line with 4 seconds left. But his final pass was incomplete and the 49ers held on.
Q: Who led the Bears in receiving vs the 49ers? A: Luther Burden III led with 8 catches for 138 yards and a TD. Colston Loveland added 6 catches for 94 yards and a TD.
Q: What was the all-time record between the Bears and 49ers after this game? A: The 49ers lead the all-time series 37-33-1, including 3 playoff games, across 71 total matchups.
Q: Was any NFL record set in this game? A: Yes. This was the first regular-season NFL game in history where both teams were tied at each of these scores: 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28, and 35-35.
Q: Where was the Bears vs 49ers Week 17 2025 game played? A: The game was played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Q: What records did McCaffrey break in this game? A: He set the 49ers franchise record for most receptions by a running back in a single season (96) and most total touches in one season (399). He also finished with 2,069 scrimmage yards on the season.
Conclusion
In a thrilling Week 17 showdown, the San Francisco 49ers edged out the Chicago Bears 42-38 in one of the most explosive games of the 2025 NFL season, defined by constant lead changes, elite quarterback play, and clutch late-game execution. Both Caleb Williams and Brock Purdy delivered standout performances, while stars like Christian McCaffrey, Luther Burden III, and Jauan Jennings made game-shaping plays on offense. Despite a valiant comeback attempt and a last-second drive to the goal line, the Bears fell just short as San Francisco’s perfect red-zone efficiency and late touchdown proved decisive. This game not only highlighted two rising NFC contenders but also showcased future stars and playoff-level intensity in a matchup fans will remember for years.