Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams nearly led his team to a comeback victory on Sunday Night Football on NBC, totaling 330 passing yards, two touchdowns and 18 rushing yards. The San Francisco 49ers defense withstood the final red zone sequence, securing the 42-38 victory.
Things started quickly and never slowed down. On the first play from scrimmage, Bears No. 1 cornerback Jaylon Johnson lofted a pass intended for 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings into the hands of linebacker TJ Edwards, which Edwards successfully returned for a 34-yard touchdown. 49ers left tackle Trent Williams strained his hamstring during the play and was unable to return.
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According to Mike Tirico of NBC Sports, this is the first game in 2025 in which both teams have scored two touchdowns in the first quarter.
The Bears nearly scored a touchdown via a hook and ladder play with 21 seconds left. Bears tight end Colston Loveland was able to return the ball to running back D’Andre Swift, but Swift was stopped at the 49ers two-yard line.
Only one field was attempted the entire game, which Bears kicker Cairo Santos converted from 29 yards out.
Both teams are playoff bound.
The 49ers (12-4) host the Seahawks (13-3) in Week 18, while the Lions (8-8) host the Bears (11-5).
SNF Fantasy stands out
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Brock Purdy QB, 49ers: 303 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and one interception, 28 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Purdy has now scored five touchdowns in two straight games. Tonight he had two touchdowns, one via a scrimmage and one via a designed run on a play-fake. He connected with wide receiver Jauan Jennings, tight end Jake Tonges and fullback Kyle Juszczyk for pass scores.
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Christian McCaffrey RB, 49ers: 140 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, four receptions and 41 yards on six targets. With about six minutes left in the first quarter, McCaffrey had his longest run of the year, a 43-yard play, bouncing a run up the middle toward the left sideline while losing arm tackles. He set up his own five-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter by missing the Bears safety via a 16-yard gain on the previous play.
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Colston Loveland TE, Bears: Six receptions, 95 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. Midway through the second quarter, 49ers defensive lineman Kalia Davis jumped offside before the snap, giving the Bears a free play from the 49ers 36-yard line. Williams seized the opportunity, rolling to the right before hitting Loveland, who got open by crossing the right markers before leaping into the end zone as he got the touchdown pass. Later, in the fourth quarter, Loveland raced out of the slot en route to a 32-yard gain down the left sideline.
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Jake Tonges TE, 49ers: Seven receptions, 60 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. Tonges scored from a yard out, running a corner during play action in the first quarter.
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SNF fancy flip flops
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DJ Moore WR, Bears: One reception and seven yards on four targets. Moore got a target in the end zone from two yards out, but couldn’t go up and catch it.
Usage notes
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Bears backfield usage and results: The Bears started carrying the ball D’Andre Swift rushed nine times for 54 yards and two touchdowns, while catching 2 of 3 targets for 24 yards. Bears No. 2 running back Kyle Monangai rushed eight times for 38 yards, while catching 3 of 4 targets for nine yards. Swift scored from two yards out on a run to the right in the third quarter. He scored again in the fourth quarter, slipping through a maw of Bears defenders on a 22-yard run up the middle. Swift edged Monangai 39 to 27.
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Luther Burden’s catch rate: Burden’s injury and statistics are discussed below. He played just 38 of 66 offensive snaps as the Bears’ No. 3 wide receiver tonight, surprisingly playing behind wide receiver Jahdae Walker, who logged 41 snaps and caught 2 of 4 targets for 30 yards.
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Ricky Pearsall Usage and Results: Pearsall sprained an ankle and apparently aggravated his PCL sprain in Week 15. He sat out in Week 16. Against the Bears tonight, he caught 5 of 8 targets for 85 yards, although he needed at least one meeting with the coaches in the game. Pearsall played on 58 of 72 offensive snaps, operating tonight as the No. 2 wide receiver of the 49ers.
Injury Monitoring
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Christian McCaffrey RB, 49ers: McCaffrey was seen meeting with the team’s training staff late in the fourth quarter and appeared to be receiving treatment on his lower back. He returned to the game and played effectively, although his status is worth monitoring.
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Luther Burden WR, Bears: Burden was injured on the final play of the game. 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir collided with him in the end zone, apparently hitting Burden’s lower body as he attempted to make a play on the ball thrown to a player in front of them. Burden caught 8 of 9 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown tonight, scoring a 35-yard touchdown by running a post route from the slot via play action with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Wired waiver radar
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Brian Robinson Jr. RB, 49ers: As mentioned above, McCaffrey appeared to receive treatment on his lower back during the game. Robinson should be listed.
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Luther Burden WR, Bears: Burden is only present on 23.0% of Yahoo! leagues. He warrants WR2/3 treatment if healthy at Week 18.
A great statistic
McCaffrey has 2,069 yards from scrimmage this season. This is his third regular season producing over 2,000 yards from scrimmage.
Next Monday at Rotoworld:
– Rotoworld Football Show: Sunday recap of week 17
– Sunday afternoon article by Patrick Daugherty
– Week 18 Waiver Wire article by Kyle Dvorchak
– Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry LIVE at noon ET on YouTube
– Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Q&A with Patrick Daugherty and Kyle Dvorchak
