Offensive fireworks ignite a nail-biter! Bears defense strikes first, but a last-second pass falls incomplete, costing a playoff dream.
If you were expecting a defensive battle on Sunday night, you were sorely mistaken.
The chase is on for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The winner of this game needs a loss from the Seattle Seahawks.
The offenses were the talking point, but the Bears' defense got the scoring started. Brock Purdy dropped back on the first play of the game and tried to get the ball to Jauan Jennings. The pass was contested and knocked up in the air for T.J. Edwards to intercept it and run it back for a pick six.
The 49ers weren't phased by that and rattled off 14 straight points.
The Bears were down Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus due to injury, leaving Luther Burden III and D.J. Moore as the team's top receiving options. Burden got involved in a big way in the first quarter, scoring a 35-yard touchdown.
The offensive fireworks continued in the second quarter. The 49ers scored two more touchdowns, with the Bears finding the end zone thanks to a free play courtesy of an offside penalty. Caleb Williams loaded up and launched a touchdown pass to Colston Loveland.
The Bears and 49ers went into halftime with San Francisco leading 28-21.
Things slowed down in the second half.
D'Andre Swift tied the game at 28 early in the third quarter with a two-yard rushing touchdown. The 49ers answered with a touchdown of their own to Kyle Juszczyk to make 35-28.
The Bears controlled things for most of the fourth quarter, putting up 10 straight points to take a 38-35 lead. The 49ers tried to run off as much clock as they could, but Jennings eventually broke free for a 38-yard touchdown, giving San Francisco the lead at 42-38.
All of Chicago held its breath because fans of this team now know just how dangerous the Bears are late in the fourth quarter. The Bears got the ball with 2:15 left in the game.
The offense had an inspired last drive. The Bears got to the 49ers' two-yard line and had one more play to win the game.
Williams evaded multiple pass rushers and attempted to squeeze a pass to rookie Jahdae Walker, but it bounced off the turf.
With the loss, the Bears now can't take the No. 1 seed anymore. That will be either the 49ers or the Seahawks. San Francisco plays Seattle to close out the regular season. Chicago will either be the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the playoffs now at 11-5.
Chicago ends the regular season with the Detroit Lions. The date has yet to be determined, as Chicago looks to welcome in the new year with a win.