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Both the Bears and 49ers are already locked into postseason berths. Where will they start their playoff exploits?
That remains up in the air.
Both sides represent the cream of the crop in their respective divisions, with Chicago climbing to the top of the NFC North amid a torrent of Caleb Williams touchdown passes and interceptions by Kevin Byard, Nahshon Wright and Terrell Edmunds. The Bears’ most recent feat saw them rally to beat the Packers at Soldier Field in overtime. They’re one win away from a divisional crown, their first since 2018.
STREAM: Watch Bears vs. 49ers LIVE with Peacock
San Francisco, meanwhile, finds itself in the hunt for the NFC West title. Kyle Shanahan’s side could be peaking at the right time — Brock Purdy is fresh off a five-touchdown day against the Coltsby far his best display of the regular season. A win against an upstart Chicago side would go a long way toward cementing San Francisco’s place as one of the conference’s truest contenders just weeks before the postseason kicks off.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Sunday night’s matchup between Chicago and San Francisco. Follow below for highlights, live results and more from a clash of two of the NFC’s best prizefighters.
Bears vs. 49ers score
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NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Bears vs. 49ers live updates, highlights from Sunday Night Football
(All times Eastern)
10:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! After climbing inside the five, Chicago punches it in, with D’Andre Swift taking the edge before slipping into the end zone from short range. Tie game! We wouldn’t have it any other way.
49ers 28, Bears 28
10:17 p.m.: Wondrous display by Burden so far, who is up to 67 yards on four catches. He’s making a difference in Rome Odunze’s absence.
10:11 p.m.: We’re back to life from Levi’s Stadium. The Bears start the second half with the rock. Let’s see if they can knot the game up and keep the back-and-forth nature of this matchup alive.
End of second quarter: 49ers 28, Bears 21
9:43 p.m.: For awareness of just how crazy this scoreline is, no sides have scored more in the first half of a game this season than the Bears and 49ers, per Sportsnet. Let’s hope the fireworks continue in the second.
9:35 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! San Francisco couldn’t help but find pay dirt again. Purdy trots into the end zone for the second time today. What a performance from the Iowa State alum!
Purdy’s second rushing TD of the half!
CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/2mquifVQ5L— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
40ers 28, Bears 21
9:30 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Chicago responds…again. Williams finds Colston Loveland to level the score at 21 apiece.
Caleb fires a 36-yard TD to Colston Loveland on the free play!
CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/kCSOT97O0I— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
49ers 21, Bears 21
9:20 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! The scores keep flowing! San Francisco pushes its advantage back to seven after Christian McCaffrey traipses in from five yards out!
CMC touchdown and the @49ers retake the lead.
CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/poUbFDFIlp— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
49ers 21, Bears 14
End of first quarter: Bears 14, 49ers 14
9:10 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! The Bears return fire, finding pay dirt with 35-yard pitch-and-catch between Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III.
CALEB TO LUTHER BURDEN III.
CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/6u5uwTe724— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
49ers 14, Bears 14
9:00 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! The 49ers take the lead courtesy of another Purdy score — this time with his legs!
49ers 14, Bears 7
8:40 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! The Niners strike back, with Purdy finding target Jake Tonges in the end zone! We’re level at Levi’s Stadium!
Purdy responds with a TD to Tonges!
CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/4K3uGEy7b6— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
Bears 7, 49ers 7
8:25 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! On the first play of the game, Jaylon Johnson deflects Brock Purdy’s pass! It lands in T.J. Edwards’ hands, who proceeds to take it the distance to open the scoring! What a start!
BEARS PICK-6 ON THE FIRST PLAY.
CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/wbOu4NFC8m— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025
Bears 7, 49ers 0
8:20 p.m.: And we’re off! The Niners start with possession of the ball.
7:30 p.m.: Here’s a look at both sides’ inactive lists ahead of tonight’s contest. D.J. Moore is good to go for Chicago while George Kittle misses out for the Niners.
WR DJ Moore and RT Darnell Wright are officially ACTIVE.
CB Dallis Flowers, elevated from the practice squad yesterday, is INACTIVE as well. pic.twitter.com/J49BoqaJGo
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) December 28, 2025
#49ers inactive:
TE George Kittle (ankle)
CB Renardo Green (neck)
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
DT Kevin Givens
DE Robert Beal Jr.
LB Curtis Robinson— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 28, 2025
MORE WEEK 17 NEWS:
Where to watch Bears vs. 49ers
Bears vs. 49ers start time
- Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
- Time: 8:20 pm ET
Chicago and San Francisco’s “Sunday Night Football” clash will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, where the 49ers are 4-2 this season.
What channel is Bears vs. 49ers on today?
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock
Sunday’s matchup between the Bears and 49ers will be aired on NBC nationally. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call, while Melissa Stark will offer musings from the sideline.
Cord-cutters can find the action on Peacock.
NFL Week 17 schedule
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| You, Dec. 25 | Cowboys at Commanders | 1:00 p.m. | Netflix |
| You, Dec. 25 | Lions at Vikings | 4:30 p.m. | Netflix |
| You, Dec. 25 | Broncos at Chiefs | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
Saturday, December 27
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Sat, Dec. 27 | Texans at Chargers | 4:30 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Sat, Dec. 27 | Ravens at Packers | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock (Exclusive) |
Sunday, December 28
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Buccaneers at Dolphins | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Steelers at Browns | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Cardinals at Bengals | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Jaguars at Colts | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Seahawks at Panthers | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Patriots at Jets | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Saints at Titans | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Giants at Raiders | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Eagles at Bills | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Bears at 49ers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC/Peacock |
Monday, December 29
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Mon, Dec. 29 | Rams at Falcons | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
