Purdy Shines as San Francisco Outlasts Bears in 42–38 Shootout

Offense erupts again, defense bends until the final stand at Levi’s Stadium

The San Francisco 49ers kept their bid for the No. 1 seed alive with a thrilling 42–38 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, powered by a historic performance from Brock Purdy and another explosive offensive showing.
Here’s how the 49ers graded out in the NFC showdown.

Pass Offense: A-

Despite a disastrous start — a pick-six on the first play — Brock Purdy delivered one of the finest performances of his career.
Final stat line:
• 300+ passing yards
• 3 passing touchdowns
• 2 rushing touchdowns
Purdy became the first quarterback in 49ers history to throw for 300 yards and three TDs while also running for two scores — and he did it without Trent Williams (hamstring) and George Kittle (ankle).
Key moments included:
• A creative bootleg TD pass to Kyle Juszczyk
• A 38-yard catch-and-run TD by Jauan Jennings with 2:15 remaining for the game-winner
Backup contributors stepped up:
• Austen Pleasants stabilized the line after Williams exited
• Jake Tonges filled in for Kittle with 7 catches for 60 yards and a TD
Run Offense: B
Christian McCaffrey continued his elite stretch:
• 140 rushing yards (season high)
• 6.1 yards per carry
• 10th rushing TD in the past 11 games
His longest run (41 yards) and a perfectly blocked 5-yard TD highlighted another efficient night. Purdy also added two rushing scores, reinforcing his underrated athleticism.
“I don’t think it’s sneaky,” McCaffrey said. “He’s athletic.”
Pass Defense: D-
The biggest concern for San Francisco.
The 49ers allowed:
• 330 passing yards
• 2 TD passes to Caleb Williams
• No sacks
• No interceptions
Coverage breakdowns plagued the defense all night. Chicago converted 6-of-12 third downs and both fourth-down attempts.
Still, the defense came through when it mattered most — forcing a hurried incompletion on the final play from the 2-yard line under pressure from Yetur Gross-Matos.
Run Defense: C
Chicago found success on the ground after halftime:
• D’Andre Swift: 2 rushing TDs on just 9 carries
• Kyle Monangai: 38 yards on 8 attempts
The Bears surprisingly didn’t lean more heavily on the run, something future opponents like Seattle are expected to exploit.
Special Teams: B
Despite limited opportunities:
• Thomas Morstead pinned Chicago deep after a critical punt
• A muffed return by Skyy Moore forced the 49ers to drive 75 yards — which they did for the winning TD
Coaching: C+
Kyle Shanahan’s offense continues to peak at the right time, but defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern, especially without Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.
San Francisco sits one win away from the No. 1 seed, and if the offense maintains this level, the path to the Lombardi Trophy runs through Levi’s Stadium.
Final Takeaway
• Final score: 49ers 42, Bears 38
• Record: San Francisco improves to 12–4
• Theme: Elite offense, fragile defense — but clutch when it counts
The 49ers survived a classic shootout, leaning on Purdy’s poise, McCaffrey’s consistency, and one final defensive stand.