By Harshit
SANTA CLARA, DECEMBER 29 —
The San Francisco 49ers are proving they do not need perfection on defense if their offense keeps operating at this level.
Behind a five-touchdown performance from Brock Purdy, the 49ers survived a chaotic, record-setting shootout Sunday night, edging the Chicago Bears 42–38 in one of the most explosive games of the NFL season. San Francisco surrendered 38 points, allowed multiple fourth-quarter scoring drives, and still walked away with a win that keeps the NFC’s top seed firmly within reach.
With the victory, the 49ers set up a decisive Week 18 home showdown against the Seattle Seahawks, with the NFC West title and the conference’s No. 1 seed on the line.
Purdy Delivers in Prime Time
Purdy accounted for all five San Francisco touchdowns — three through the air and two on the ground — continuing a torrid stretch that has turned the 49ers offense into one of the league’s most feared units entering the postseason.
His defining moment came midway through the third quarter. Under pressure, Purdy rolled left, slipped between two defenders, reset his feet, and fired a strike to fullback Kyle Juszczyk in the end zone — a play that encapsulated his confidence, composure, and command of Kyle Shanahan’s system.
The performance came despite significant absences. Tight end George Kittle was ruled out, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams exited on the first play with a hamstring injury. Neither absence slowed Purdy or Christian McCaffrey, who finished with 181 total yards and a touchdown.
A First Half for the Record Books
The game exploded immediately. On San Francisco’s first offensive snap, Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards intercepted Purdy and returned it for a touchdown. From there, the night turned into an offensive avalanche.
Both teams scored two touchdowns in the first quarter — an NFL first this season — and neither offense slowed down. By halftime, the teams had combined for 49 points, with Purdy and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams trading deep shots, scrambles, and red-zone finishes.
San Francisco scored on nearly every possession, extending a remarkable trend that has seen the 49ers score on seven of eight drives in multiple recent games.
History in the Second Half
The fireworks continued after halftime. The score was tied 7-7, 14-14, 21-21, 28-28, and 35-35, marking the first time in NFL history a game featured all five of those tied scores.
Neither defense could consistently get stops, and both quarterbacks capitalized. Williams threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, repeatedly extending drives under pressure and keeping Chicago within striking distance late.
After the Bears took a 38–35 lead with just over five minutes remaining, Purdy answered decisively. He hit Jauan Jennings on a crossing route, and Jennings raced untouched for a 38-yard go-ahead touchdown with 2:15 left — Purdy’s fifth score of the night.
Defense Holds — Just Enough
Chicago had one last chance. Williams led the Bears inside the 49ers’ red zone, converting a fourth down and setting up first-and-goal from the 3-yard line with four seconds remaining.
On the final play, Purdy’s offense watched from the sideline as San Francisco’s defense finally delivered, forcing an incompletion in the end zone to seal the win.
It was not a dominant defensive performance — but it was just enough.
What It Means
The 49ers now control their path to the NFC’s No. 1 seed. A win over Seattle next week would clinch both the division and a first-round bye, ensuring San Francisco would not leave Levi’s Stadium until Super Bowl LX — scheduled to be played in Santa Clara.
While defensive concerns remain, the offense is operating at a championship level, and Brock Purdy is playing as well as any quarterback in the league.