Chicago Bears vs 49ers Stats: Purdy’s 5 TDs Outlast Williams’ Career Night in 42-38 Thriller

The Chicago Bears vs 49ers stats from Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium tell the story of a heavyweight fight that came down to the final two yards. Brock Purdy accounted for five touchdowns, and the San Francisco 49ers survived a furious Chicago rally for a 42-38 victory. The Bears had one last shot from the 2-yard line, but Caleb Williams’ pass fell incomplete as time expired, handing San Francisco its sixth straight win.

The game was a track meet from the opening snap—literally. Chicago’s T.J. Edwards returned a deflected Purdy pass 34 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. From there, the two offenses traded blows for 60 minutes, combining for 11 touchdowns and 936 total yards. Chicago continued to respond until the final drive faltered at the doorstep, but San Francisco led 28-21 at the half and never fell behind by more than a field goal in the second half.

Match Overview Table

Core Match Statistics Overview

Even though the 49ers controlled the clock and the ground game, the raw figures demonstrate how evenly matched both teams were.

Rushing Efficiency

• San Francisco averaged 5.9 yards per carry, gashing a Chicago defense that had been stout against the run for much of the season.
• The Bears managed just 110 rushing yards on 22 attempts, a 5.0 average that looks respectable until you consider they abandoned the run early while playing from behind.

Ball Security

• Chicago played a clean game with zero turnovers, a remarkable feat against a defense that thrives on takeaways.
• Purdy’s first-play interception was the only giveaway of the night, though it directly gifted Chicago seven points.

Red Zone Finishing

• Before settling for a field goal on their fifth red zone attempt, the Bears scored touchdowns on their first four.
• San Francisco matched that efficiency, converting every red zone possession into points.

Period-by-Period Analysis

First Quarter: Instant Chaos

• Edwards’ pick-six on the opening snap gave Chicago a 7-0 lead before most fans had settled into their seats.
• San Francisco answered with a methodical 65-yard drive capped by Purdy’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Jake Tonges.
• The teams traded touchdowns again, ending the quarter knotted at 14-14.

Second Quarter: 49ers Take Control

• Purdy scored on the ground twice in the second quarter, showcasing his mobility on designed runs and scrambles.
• Williams hit rookie Luther Burden III for a 35-yard score to keep Chicago within striking distance.
• McCaffrey’s rushing touchdown gave San Francisco a 28-21 halftime lead.

Third Quarter: Trading Punches

• Chicago opened the second half with a touchdown drive to tie it at 28-28, capped by Swift’s 2-yard run.
• Purdy answered with one of the plays of the year—evading two rushers for over eight seconds before flipping a touchdown to Kyle Juszczyk.
• The quarter ended with San Francisco clinging to a 35-28 advantage.

Fourth Quarter: Cardiac Bears Come Up Short

• Swift’s second rushing touchdown, a 22-yarder, tied the game at 35-35 early in the fourth.
• Cairo Santos’ 29-yard field goal gave Chicago a 38-35 lead with 5:22 remaining.
• Purdy found Jauan Jennings for a 38-yard touchdown with 2:15 left, putting San Francisco back on top for good.

Detailed Team Player Statistics

San Francisco 49ers Player Statistics

Brock Purdy, QB

With five touchdowns overall, Purdy became the sixth player since the AFL-NFL merger to score at least five points in a consecutive game. His ability to extend plays with his legs kept Chicago’s pass rush honest all night.

Christian McCaffrey, RB

McCaffrey’s 181 scrimmage yards were the engine of San Francisco’s offense. He consistently turned minimal space into positive gains, keeping the 49ers ahead of the chains.

Jauan Jennings, WR

On a play that needed precise timing from Purdy, Jennings beat tight coverage down the seam to score the game-winning 38-yard touchdown.

Ricky Pearsall, WR

Pearsall served as Purdy’s most reliable chain-mover, converting critical third downs and keeping drives alive.

Chicago Bears Player Statistics

Caleb Williams, QB

Williams posted a season-high 330 passing yards and a 100.3 passer rating, repeatedly hitting deep shots against San Francisco’s secondary. His final throw from the 2-yard line fell incomplete, but his performance kept Chicago in a game they had no business winning after trailing by 14.

Luther Burden III, WR

The rookie torched San Francisco’s cornerbacks all night, including a 35-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He was the game’s top receiver with 138 yards.

Colston Loveland, TE

Loveland’s 36-yard touchdown on a free play in the second quarter showcased his field awareness and Williams’ arm strength.

D’Andre Swift, RB

Swift found the end zone twice on the ground, including a 22-yarder in the fourth quarter that briefly tied the game.

Statistical Leaders Summary Table

Analytical Breakdowns

Why the 49ers Won

### Dominance on the Ground

San Francisco rushed for 200 yards on 34 attempts, a 5.9-yard average that kept the chains moving and kept Williams on the sideline. McCaffrey’s 140 yards forced Chicago to commit extra defenders in the box, opening up play-action opportunities for Purdy.

### Purdy’s Dual-Threat Brilliance

Purdy’s two rushing touchdowns were the difference. When Chicago’s coverage held up, he escaped the pocket and made plays with his legs. His 8-second scramble before finding Juszczyk was the defining play of the game.

### Time of Possession Dominance

San Francisco held the ball for 33:33, keeping Chicago’s explosive offense off the field. The 49ers converted 7 of 10 third downs, extending drives and wearing down the Bears’ defense.

Why the Bears Lost

### Red Zone Execution at the End

Chicago moved the ball to the 2-yard line with four seconds left but couldn’t punch it in. The final play was rushed, with Williams scrambling and throwing incomplete to Jahdae Walker.

### Defensive Stops Evaporated

The Bears’ defense forced just one punt in the second half. After taking a 38-35 lead, they needed one stop and couldn’t get it, allowing Purdy to march 70 yards in under two minutes.

### Rushing Attack Disappeared

Chicago averaged just 3.1 yards per carry after the first quarter, finishing with 110 rushing yards. The inability to sustain drives on the ground put too much pressure on Williams’ arm.

Historical Context & Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown

For the first time since the 1974–75 seasons, San Francisco has now prevailed in consecutive meetings.

Advanced Statistical Insights

The relationship between rushing efficiency and play-action success was stark. Purdy completed 9 of 12 play-action passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, largely because Chicago’s linebackers had to respect McCaffrey on every snap. The Bears, meanwhile, ran play-action on just 18% of Williams’ dropbacks, a reflection of their inability to establish the run.

Game Implications & Key Lessons

What This Means for San Francisco

• The 49ers (12-4) remain alive for the NFC’s top seed with a Week 18 showdown against Seattle.
• Purdy has now accounted for 10 touchdowns in two weeks, silencing critics who questioned his consistency.
• The offense proved it can win shootouts without relying on George Kittle, who was inactive with an ankle injury.

What This Means for Chicago

• The Bears (11-5) have already clinched the NFC North but missed a chance to secure the conference’s No. 1 seed.
• Williams’ 330-yard, zero-turnover performance is a sign of growth, but the final drive revealed lingering red-zone execution issues.
• Defensive coordinator Eric Washington must address the run defense, which allowed 200 yards for the third time this season.

Key Lessons

• A pick-six on the opening play does not guarantee momentum; San Francisco scored on its next four possessions.
• Mobile quarterbacks change everything in the red zone; Purdy’s two rushing scores were the margin.
• When both attacks are humming, winning the time of possession fight (33:33 to 26:27) is important.
• Rookie receivers can shine in prime time; Burden’s 138 yards were the most by a Bears rookie since 2023.
• Two yards is an eternity in the NFL; Chicago’s final play will haunt them until the playoffs.

Conclusion

The Chicago Bears vs 49ers stats from this Week 17 showdown reveal a game decided by inches and execution. San Francisco’s 200 rushing yards and Purdy’s five touchdowns proved just enough to outlast a Chicago offense that played its best game of the season. Williams outgained Purdy through the air, but the 49ers’ balance—and their ability to finish drives—made the difference. For Chicago, the loss is a painful reminder that in the NFL, two yards can be the distance between a statement win and a moral victory.