San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more as his team defeated the Chicago Bears 42-38 in a thrilling game Sunday night.
Running back Christian McCaffrey also played a starring role with 181 scrimmage yards and a score as the hosts improved to 12-4 on the season at Levi’s Stadium and remained one win ahead of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, who have already secured a playoff berth.
The Bears (11-5) advanced down the field to the 2-yard line on their final possession, including a 4-and-5 conversion from 26 yards, until Caleb Williams threw an incompletion to Jourday Walker on the final play.
Leader in statistics:
bear
Passing: Caleb Williams, 25/42, 330 yards, 2 TD Rushing: D’Andre Swift, 9 carries, 54 yards, 2 TD Receiving: Luther Baden III, 8 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD
49ers
Passing: Brock Purdy, 24/33, 303 yards, 3 TD, 1 rushing: Christian McCaffrey, 23 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD Receiving: Ricky Pearsall, 5 catches, 85 yards
San Francisco can clinch the top seed in the NFC playoffs with a win over visiting Seattle in Week 18. Chicago, which won the NFC North title with Green Bay’s loss on Saturday, will be the conference’s second or third seed.
Purdy completed 24 of 33 for 303 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, and Cross also scored twice with his legs. Purdy became the first 49er to pass for five touchdowns in a game since Joe Montana in 1990, in a 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts, and it was the second consecutive week that he had five touchdowns on the team.
Williams, the Bears’ opponent, was 25-of-42 for 330 yards and two TDs, but admitted he was frustrated by the final play.
“It’s frustrating,” Williams said. “You never want to lose a game. And in that position, all you need at this moment is to make the shot at the end. But overall we have to do a better job.”
Williams and the Bears performed at their best in these late-game situations, winning an NFL-record six times, including last week’s come-from-behind victory over the Green Bay Packers when trailing with two minutes left in regulation.
After stopping the clock on the spike, the Bears struggled to line up properly on the final play. Williams was then flushed out of the pocket by Bryce Huff and a throw to Shorthop Walker in the end zone.
“In that situation, we had to try to make something out of nothing, and like I said, we had a chance,” Williams said. “Like that, we were running out of time and we had a shot. In that situation, you just let your guys take the shot. We ended up fouling the ball, we didn’t put our feet on the ball. We just put the ball in the end zone in that situation. You can’t foul the ball.”
The loss ended the Bears’ hopes of earning a top seed and a first-round bye. Chicago has already clinched the NFC North title and can clinch the No. 2 seed if they beat Detroit next Sunday or Philadelphia loses to Washington.
Veteran LT Williams left with injury on first play, 49ers beat Bears
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams walks on the sideline during the second half (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams injured his right hamstring on the first play from scrimmage and left Sunday night’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.
Williams was injured trying to chase down TJ Edwards for a touchdown on an interception return to start the game. He limped off the field and headed for the blue medical tent.
The 37-year-old was replaced by Austin Pleasants on the ensuing drive and did not return. He was ruled out at half-time.
Williams is one of the most important players in the Niners’ offense and was just selected to his 12th Pro Bowl, tied for second most by an offensive lineman.
San Francisco scored four TDs from scrimmage in the first half without Williams.
Watch the 2025 NFL season live on Sky Sports. All playoffs and Super Bowl I games are also included. Get Sky Sports now and stream without a contract.
