SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Caleb Williams delivered a remarkable performance, passing for a season-high 330 yards and orchestrating five scoring drives in a thrilling contest against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Despite his efforts, the Chicago Bears fell to the Niners 42-38, which dashed their hopes for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Defensive struggles were at the forefront of the Bears’ inability to secure their 12th victory of the season.
Bears safety Jaquan Brisker expressed disappointment, stating, “We let the offense down, period. I feel like Caleb and them gave us enough points to do what we had to do to win. The defense didn’t.” The game unfolded as a high-octane offensive battle, featuring a total of 936 yards and 11 touchdowns—tying it for the most in a single game this season.
Williams engaged in a back-and-forth duel with Niners quarterback Brock Purdy, who was equally impressive. San Francisco’s offense registered 32 first downs and went 5-for-5 in the red zone. Purdy, fresh off a career-high five touchdown performance against the Indianapolis Colts, accounted for five total touchdowns against the Bears, completing a staggering 21 of 28 passes under no pressure.
The Bears initially took a 38-35 lead in the fourth quarter, showcasing their resilience; they held the best record for wins after trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter this season since the 1970 merger. However, a late touchdown pass from Purdy to Jauan Jennings would shift the momentum back to the Niners, and Chicago was unable to capitalize on their final possession.
With just four seconds remaining, the Bears found themselves at the Niners’ 2-yard line, but San Francisco’s relentless pass rush pressured Williams, leading to a turnover on downs as his pass to receiver Jahdae Walker fell short.
Williams expressed his dissatisfaction with the final play, mentioning he “can’t dirt the ball” in such a crucial moment. Bears coach Ben Johnson acknowledged his own role in the execution breakdown, indicating that he failed to communicate the playcall quickly enough, leading to confusion on the field.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Williams maintained an optimistic outlook, asserting that the Bears have proven their strength and resilience. “I think we’ve proven who we are,” he stated. “We’ll fight, and I think we’re a team to be reckoned with. I’m excited for this next game.”
Williams’ performance was not only a personal highlight but placed him closer to achieving a major career milestone. He is on the verge of becoming the first 4,000-yard passer in Bears history, needing just 270 yards in the upcoming regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. With the potential for a playoff rematch against the Niners, the Bears remain hopeful for redemption and continued growth as a competitive team.