As the NFL season nears its climax, the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) will host the Chicago Bears (11-4) in a prime-time Sunday night matchup at 8:15 p.m. EST on NBC. Current NFL betting lines from BetMGM favor the 49ers by three points. Both teams have demonstrated solid form this season, with the Bears holding a 9-5-1 record against the spread and the 49ers marginally better at 10-5.
Historically, this rivalry is closely contested, with San Francisco leading the series 36-33-1. Their last encounter, held on December 8, 2025, in Santa Clara, California, saw the 49ers dominate 38-13. Most recently, Chicago edged out Green Bay 22-16 in overtime, while San Francisco clinched a convincing 48-27 victory over Indianapolis.
From a performance perspective, the Bears come into the game with an offense ranked fifth overall in the NFL, excelling particularly in rushing (second) and scoring (10th), while their passing ranks 14th. Defensively, the Bears lag behind, sitting 24th overall, with their rush defense at 27th and pass defense somewhat better at 18th. Their scoring defense is ranked 19th.
Conversely, the 49ers' offense is placed 9th overall, boasting a strong passing game ranked 5th alongside a more modest rushing offense ranked 24th. Their scoring offense is also ninth. On defense, San Francisco stands 18th overall, with a robust rush defense in eighth place but a pass defense at 23rd. Their scoring defense is ranked 11th.
A significant contrast exists in turnover differentials: the Bears lead the NFL with a plus-21 margin, while the 49ers carry a negative four differential. Notably, Bears defensive back Nahshon Wright has been exceptional this season, tallying five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and forcing two fumbles. Such a combination has only been matched once in the last 17 seasons by Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019. On the other side, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy recently achieved a milestone by becoming the first in franchise history since Steve Young to throw five touchdown passes in a game. Purdy has maintained an impressive performance over his past seven starts, with eight touchdown passes and a single interception in his last two games. His passer rating on third down attempts leads the NFL at 130.
A key area to watch is the clash between the Bears' rushing attack and the 49ers' defense. Chicago ranks second in rushing yards, having amassed at least 138 yards in seven of their past eight games. San Francisco counters with the third-best rush defense since Week 11, allowing just 87.4 yards per game and holding elite rusher Jonathan Taylor to 46 yards in their last contest.
Injury updates affecting both teams include Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III, who has returned to practice following an ankle issue and is expected to play. However, wide receiver Rome Odunze remains sidelined with a foot injury. Questionable participants for the Bears are linebacker T.J. Edwards (glute), cornerback Nahshon Wright (hamstring), and cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
The 49ers face their own medical uncertainties: tight end George Kittle departed last week's game due to an ankle injury and is doubtful for this matchup. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, hindered by a knee issue, missed the previous game and is likewise questionable. Cornerback Renardo Green will miss his second consecutive game due to a neck injury.
Within the series' context, the teams have alternated victories over their last nine meetings. The Bears hold a 2-1 advantage at Levi's Stadium, while the 49ers are 3-2 against Chicago since head coach Kyle Shanahan took charge. This game represents the first season since 2001 where both franchises have made the playoffs simultaneously, at which time Chicago triumphed 37-31.
Additional noteworthy statistics underline each team's current season trajectory. The Bears secured a playoff berth last week and have an opportunity to clinch their first division title since 2018, depending on their result or a Green Bay loss. Their plus-21 turnover margin is the second-best over the last 15 games for any team in 13 seasons, surpassed only by the 2019 New England Patriots (+23). Historically, the last time the Bears finished a season with a turnover margin of plus-21 was in 1985, a season that ended with the franchise's sole Super Bowl championship.
Chicago has also achieved an NFL milestone by winning six games after trailing in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, an unprecedented feat. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland has compiled at least three receptions in ten straight games, ranking fifth-longest for a rookie tight end since the league merger. Quarterback Caleb Williams boasts nine touchdown passes and a 100.1 passer rating on third downs. Pro Bowl defensive back Kevin Byard III tops the NFL with six interceptions, the most by any Bears defender since 2018. The Bears have prevented opponents from scoring on opening drives in seven consecutive games, surrendering only ten points in such scenarios all season.
For the 49ers, last week's win assured their fourth playoff appearance in five years and positions them to earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC with victories in their remaining games. They have maintained an unbeaten record (4-0) in prime-time contests this season. Their 48-point performance last game marked the highest score since matching that against New Orleans in 2019. Notably, the franchise has gone two consecutive games without punting for the first time in history.
Running back Christian McCaffrey's 92 catches tie Roger Craig's 1985 record for receptions by a 49ers running back. He ranks second in the NFL with 1,888 yards from scrimmage and is third in touchdowns with sixteen. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings has recorded at least one touchdown catch in four straight games, matching the longest streak by a 49ers player since Vernon Davis's five-game run in 2013. Jennings's seven touchdown receptions since Week 9 are just one behind NFL leader Davante Adams. Defensive rookies Alfred Collins and C.J. West each registered their first career sacks last week, a unique occurrence for San Francisco since 2016. The 49ers are also second in the NFL at converting third downs, scoring on 50% of opportunities.
In fantasy football considerations, Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore stands out, having just posted a season-high 97 receiving yards last week, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. His recent production, featuring five touchdowns over five games, positions him well as a key target amid the Bears' depleted receiving corps.