Imagine a full stadium with lots of excitement surrounding two top professional football franchises battling it out in front of a large audience, with a nail biter in the end and fans standing up yelling and going wild at the game. That is precisely what occurred when the Chicago Bears defeated the San Francisco 49ers on 29th December 2025, in the 17th week of the NFL season, by a score of thirty-five to twenty-eight. The two teams entered the game with identical seasons of eleven wins and four losses and were competing for playoff position. The toughness of the Chicago Bears contributed to their outstanding victory.
Game Summary: 49ers vs Bears
Fireworks erupted at the start of the match. The first score belonged to Chicago when linebacker TJ Edwards returned a San Francisco interception 34 yards for a touchdown 15 seconds into the first quarter. On the next offensive possession for the 49ers, they answered quickly, but throughout four quarters, the Bears held their own against the 49ers exchanging scoring opportunities.
The final score was Bears-35, 49ers-28. Each quarter the Chicago Bears scored very important points while the San Francisco 49ers relied on their run game, which failed them late in the game. Although both teams had similar totals for yards, in fact, because the Bears used a combination of passes and runs on offense and had more balanced attacks, they had more total yards than the 49ers. With the Bears victory, they have a chance at winning the NFC North while the 49ers now have to regroup prior to entering the playoffs.
Imagine it as a backyard football game that had been elevated to a professional level, so mistakes that were made cost the teams; however, good players made the most big plays and had the best game management calls, ultimately giving the winning team the victory. There was no way anyone would have predicted this exact outcome but it was certainly a very dramatic outcome!
Top Highlights & Key Moments
Early shock: Edwards' interception return at 14:45 in the first quarter gave Bears a 7-0 lead before 49ers even snapped the ball. Fans still buzzing about that speed.​
Second quarter explosion: Christian McCaffrey's 5-yard rush tied it at 21-21 around 13:44, after a 75-yard Bears drive. Then, pure magic—Brock Purdy connects with Kyle Juszczyk for a 6-yard score in the third, putting 49ers up briefly.​
Game-sealer: Late fourth-quarter touchdown at 14:54 pushed Bears ahead for good. Turnovers and field position flips kept everyone glued—classic NFL edge-of-your-seat stuff.​
These flashes weren't luck; they showed preparation paying off. Imagine watching live: cheers, gasps, pure thrill.
Man of the Match:Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy, the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, put on a spectacular performance in their narrow 42–38 win over the Chicago Bears. He was the driving force behind the win and easily the standout player of the game.
Why he stood out:
- Five total touchdowns: Purdy accounted for 5 touchdowns — three passing and two rushing — in this one game, a rare and impressive feat.
- 303 passing yards: He threw for over 300 yards, keeping the 49ers’ offense dynamic throughout.
- Clutch play: Late in the 4th quarter, he threw a 38‑yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings to take the lead and ultimately seal the win.
Purdy’s performance wasn’t just about stats. He kept the team poised in a tight back‑and‑forth contest, responded after setbacks, and delivered when it mattered most. That’s why he’s widely seen as the man of the match for this game.
Quarter-by-Quarter Highlights
First Quarter
- Bears strike first with a 34‑yard interception return touchdown by T.J. Edwards.
- 49ers answer with a touchdown pass to Jake Tonges from Brock Purdy.
- Purdy adds a 10‑yard rushing touchdown to put San Francisco ahead.
- Chicago ties it again as Caleb Williams hits Luther Burden III for a 35‑yard score.
End of Q1: 49ers 14 — Bears 14
Second Quarter
- Christian McCaffrey powers in a 5‑yard rushing TD for the 49ers.
- Bears respond with Colston Loveland catching a 36‑yard TD from Williams.
- Purdy rushes again — 3‑yard touchdown to close the half.
Half‑time: 49ers 28 — Bears 21
Third Quarter
- Bears tie it up early in the second half with a 2‑yard rushing TD by D’Andre Swift.
- 49ers respond as Kyle Juszczyk catches a 6‑yard touchdown from Purdy.
End of Q3: 49ers 35 — Bears 28
Fourth Quarter
- Chicago ties it again with Swift’s 22‑yard rushing touchdown.
- Bears take the lead with a 29‑yard field goal by Cairo Santos.
- 49ers go ahead for good when Brock Purdy hits Jauan Jennings for a 38‑yard touchdown with about 2:15 left.
Final Score: 49ers 42 — Bears 38
Key Team: Team Stats and Performers
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How the 49ers Won the Game: A Deep Dive into Their Victory Over the Bears
December 29, 2025 saw the San Francisco 49ers claim an impressive victory against the Chicago Bears by a score of 42-38. The win was not only indicative of the offensive strength of the team, but also of their capacity to make adjustments, perform well in high-pressure situations, and take advantage of their greatest strengths at the right time.
Conclusion: Why the 49ers Won
The San Francisco 49ers came away victorious in this contest due in large part to their showing a strong balance of explosive offensive ability while also displaying an ability to respond to adversity during the game with courageous plays under pressure. Brock Purdy had a huge impact on the outcome of the game with an outstanding performance; however, the entire team performed at a high level resulting in them overcoming the early struggles, the powerful running of Christian McCaffrey, and their ability to make plays in the closing moments of the game. The 49ers were able to display that they were the more complete team throughout the entire game, and their ability to make plays when it mattered most in the final minutes of the game allowed them to achieve victory.
Heckuva play call on hook & lateral. Swift couldn't get it into the endzone for #DaBears - great tackle by Niners.
— Bleacher Seat PBP - Casey at The Mic (@caseykahler) December 29, 2025
Bears clocked it for 1 last play. Wasn't meant to be as Caleb pass fell INC. #Bears fall to 49ers 42-38.
Another unbelievable Bears gm.
Heckuva road performance. pic.twitter.com/oXNGsuPKmy
Where Both Teams Stand Now
49ers Outlook
With the win, the 49ers improved to 12-4, keeping their NFC West division title hopes alive and positioning for a potential No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. They now face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 for NFC bragging rights and home-field advantage. San Francisco Standard
Bears Outlook
The Bears remain at 11-5 and already clinched the NFC North division title earlier in the season — their first since 2018. They will aim to secure a strong playoff seed with a win next week.
Also Read:
Super Bowl 2026 Date, Location, Halftime Show & Major Updates
