49ers vs Bears: Regular-Season Game With Playoff Implications

The San Francisco 49ers face off vs the Chicago Bears in a late-season clash with major playoff implications. Both 11–4 and playoff-bound, these teams still have key objectives to accomplish before the regular season concludes. Chicago can clinch the NFC North with one more win, while San Francisco remains in contention for the NFC West title and the conference’s No. 1 seed.

49ers vs Bears: Regular-Season Game With Playoff Implications

49ers vs Bears Matchup Preview

San Francisco enters Sunday night’s matchup riding a five-game winning streak against a resurgent Chicago team in a game with major playoff seeding implications. The Bears could move into the top seed in the NFC if they defeat the 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks lose earlier in the day. If the 49ers defend home field and extend their streak to six games, it would set up a dramatic regular-season finale against Seattle for the conference’s top seed and a first-round bye.

The two teams have arrived at this moment via different paths. The 49ers have been perennial NFC contenders since hiring head coach Kyle Shanahan in 2017. The Bears, meanwhile, have endured several rebuilding seasons and are enjoying their first winning campaign since 2018–19. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has accelerated that turnaround, pairing his offensive system with 2024 No. 1 overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams to restore Chicago to playoff contention.

With offensive masterminds on both sidelines and an abundance of talent on the field, Bears vs. 49ers has the feel of a playoff-caliber chess match. San Francisco will have the benefit of home-field advantage. However, that will not deter Chicago from attempting to secure a statement win against one of the conference’s most established contenders.

To continue marching toward a pivotal Week 18 showdown with the Seahawks, the 49ers must accomplish the following three objectives against the Bears.

Keys for 49ers vs Bears Victory

1) Avoid Turnovers

Much of the conversation surrounding the Bears’ stellar regular season has focused on Johnson’s offensive influence, particularly Williams’ development and a vastly improved rushing attack. However, Chicago’s defense has been just as instrumental to the team’s rise.

Coordinated by veteran defensive coach Dennis Allen, the Bears lead the NFL with 31 takeaways, including 21 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles. Cornerback Nahshon Wright and safety Kevin Byard have anchored the unit, recording five and six interceptions, respectively.

Since returning from injury, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been playing some of the best football of his career. He has efficiently distributed the ball to a variety of pass-catchers while limiting mistakes — an area that has occasionally troubled him in past seasons.

On Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts, Purdy delivered his most impressive performance of the season. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 295 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. His five touchdown passes set a franchise record for the most thrown by a 49ers quarterback on Monday Night Football, surpassing marks set during the Joe Montana and Steve Young eras.

San Francisco will need that level of decision-making to continue, as Chicago’s defense presents a more formidable challenge than Indianapolis. Any turnovers from Purdy or skill players such as Christian McCaffrey or Jauan Jennings could quickly swing momentum in a game of this magnitude.