The Chicago Bears face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night in a matchup with major implications for NFC playoff seeding. Both 11-4 teams have clinched postseason berths, but the Bears seek the NFC North title and top seed, while the 49ers aim to overtake the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West crown. As three-point underdogs, the Bears bring their league-leading takeaways defense against a surging 49ers offense.
The Chicago Bears (11-4) travel to Levi's Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) in Week 17, a game that could reshape the NFC playoff picture. Both teams have secured playoff spots, but stakes remain high: a Bears win keeps their NFC North hopes alive and boosts their chances at the No. 1 seed, while the 49ers, on a five-game winning streak, look to close the gap on the 12-3 Seahawks in the NFC West.
The Bears enter as field-goal underdogs (+3) with an over/under of 52.5 points. Chicago's recent dramatic 22-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers highlighted their resilience, scoring 10 points in the final two minutes to force extra time and capitalizing on a fumble for the win. Since starting 0-2, the Bears are 11-2 straight up and 9-3-1 against the spread, including 5-2 on the road and as underdogs. Their defense leads the NFL with 31 takeaways, including 21 interceptions, posing a threat to 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy, returning from a six-week toe injury, has thrown 13 touchdowns against four interceptions in five wins, fueling San Francisco's offensive surge. Despite season-ending injuries to edge rusher Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, and rookie Mykel Williams, plus the absence of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers have won six of seven since November, averaging 33.1 points. Running back Christian McCaffrey has scored in five straight games, adding versatility. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen noted the challenge: "I think backs and tight ends are really tough matchups on a defense... [Purdy] does a great job of getting through his progressions."
However, Chicago's pass rush ranks second-worst in win rate at 29%, potentially giving Purdy time in the pocket. Purdy acknowledged the Bears' aggression: "When the ball’s in the air, they’re aggressive, they don’t hesitate... They pop, that’s for sure, on film."
Expert panels lean toward the 49ers, with USA Today prognosticators picking them 4-3. Safety Kevin Byard called it "another playoff game," underscoring the intensity as both teams measure up in the crowded NFC race.
