If Sunday night was a preview of what January — or even February — football might look like, the Bears walked out of Levi’s Stadium knowing two truths at once: they can go toe-to-toe with the NFC’s elite, and they’ll feel the sting of this one for a while.
Chicago fell 42-38 in an instant classic to the 49ers, a nationally televised track meet that ended with the ball in Caleb Williams’ hands from the 2-yard line, one play for everything. It’s the scenario you dream up in backyards and driveways. It’s the exact moment the Bears wanted. The exact moment this franchise has spent decades waiting for.
And they came this close.
Before that final snap, Ben Johnson pulled a page from the deep cuts section of the playbook — a hook-and-ladder that saw Colston Loveland pitch the ball to D’Andre Swift, who was dragged down at the 2-yard line as Chicago bars ignited back home. The Bears raced to the line. Four seconds left. Spike. Everything on the final play.
Williams drifted left, hurdled a sack attempt, kept his eyes up, and kept the play alive as only he can. Then, with everything leaning back toward him, he let it rip — a late-window dart to Jahdae Walker that skipped inches short of a season-defining touchdown.
Ballgame.
Season still very much alive.
But heartbreak nonetheless.
And heartbreak made worse by the sight of Luther Burden III — the sensational rookie who caught 8 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown — being carted to the locker room after collapsing at the end of the final play. Chicago will now hold its breath awaiting updates on one of its brightest stars.
Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesBears vs 49ers: A Heavyweight Fight Worthy of Its Billing
This was advertised as a potential NFC Championship preview, and it delivered all the chaos, brilliance, and quarterback wizardry you’d expect.
Brock Purdy continued his historic December surge, throwing for 303 yards and accounting for five total touchdowns. Christian McCaffrey piled up 181 scrimmage yards, scoring once and gashing Chicago in every conceivable way.
Caleb Williams, meanwhile, matched them step for step.
He threw for 330 yards, two touchdowns, and once again displayed the off-script mastery that has become his trademark. If the country still needed convincing that Williams belongs in the league’s top tier of young quarterbacks, he delivered that message loud and clear — even in defeat.
Williams now sits just 109 yards shy of breaking Erik Kramer’s single-season Bears passing record (3,838 yards, set in 1995). That record is all but certain to fall next week against Detroit.
A Night That Earned Respect
Chicago didn’t win the game. They didn’t keep their hopes for the No. 1 seed alive. But they left Santa Clara as one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL — and everyone watching knows it.
Ben Johnson and Kyle Shanahan traded haymakers all night. Both offenses put on a masterclass in design and adaptability. If this is what January looks like, the league should be terrified of a Bears team that:
Has already clinched the NFC North Has the league’s most clutch quarterback Has won more shootouts and late-game thrillers than any Bears team in modern history And now has a showdown with Detroit to potentially secure the No. 2 seedThis wasn’t just a loss. It was a declaration. Chicago belongs on this stage — the biggest one the NFC has — and Caleb Williams belongs in these moments.
Kyle Terada-Imagn ImagesWhat’s Next
The Bears (11-5) are locked into either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Beat the Lions next week, and Chicago will secure the 2-seed and a home playoff game — likely a third meeting with the Green Bay Packers.
The 49ers, meanwhile, now head into a massive Week 18 showdown with the Seahawks for the NFC West title and the conference’s top seed.
But for Chicago, Sunday night offered something almost as important as a win: proof.
Proof they can line up against a Super Bowl favorite and punch just as hard.
Proof their young QB can take over a game on the road in primetime.
Proof Ben Johnson’s Bears are building something real — something sustainable — something dangerous.
They didn’t get the miracle throw. But they got the message across. The Bears are for real. And the NFC just felt it.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesGame Balls
Caleb Williams: 25-42, 330 YDS, 2 TD, 100.3 RTG Luther Burden III: 8 REC, 138 YDS, 1 TD Colston Loveland: 6 REC, 95 YDS, TDMore on the Chicago Bears’ Win
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