Key defensive absences and potent offenses collide as Chicago and San Francisco gear up for a high-scoring Sunday Night Football showdown.
The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers have both clinched playoff spots after the events of Week 16.
The Bears and 49ers play each other on Sunday Night Football at Levi's Stadium in Week 17. If Bears fans thought the Green Bay Packers game was stressful, this one might come close.
Sunday's game looks like it could be an offensive shootout, given how many key players are out on defense.
For the 49ers, they will be without linebacker Fred Warner, defensive end Nick Bosa and defensive lineman Mykell Williams. Warner and Bosa are two massive losses for the 49ers on that defense, plus Williams was a first-round draft pick this April.
The Bears don't have as many key defensive players out with injuries, with nickel corner Kyler Gordon on injured reserve.
However, the Bears have struggled in stopping opposing offenses all season. Chicago has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards (131) and 16th-most passing yards per game (228.9) in 2025
Luckily the Bears have made up for it with their league-leading 31 turnovers this season.
San Francisco's defense has its faults as well.
In the 49ers' last game, they allowed 44-year-old Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts to score 27 points and allowed 312 yards of total offense. San Francisco did win 48-27, but the defensive struggles are worth noting.
The 49ers also allow the 12th-most passing yards per game (238.8).
There were some great moments from the 22-16 overtime win over the Packers, but if you take a closer look, you'll find that Green Bay didn't punt a single time.
This is concerning, especially considering how potent the San Francisco offense has been lately. To put things into perspective, the 49ers haven't punted since Nov. 30. The last time they punted was during their 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.
In the two games the 49ers have played since then, they have scored 37 and 48 points.
The strength of the Chicago offense is in the running game. The Bears average the second-most rushing yards per game (152.1) in the NFL.
The Bears have only put up 40 or more points once this season, and it was against Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. However, this Bears team has shown that they can find a way to win, much like we saw on Saturday night.
Regardless of what happens, Sunday's game with the 49ers should definitely have some offensive fireworks. Hopefully, the Bears won't be on the receiving end too much.
Kickoff from Levi's Stadium is at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC and Peacock.