McCaffrey accomplished something he had yet to do in his illustrious career by gaining more than 100 yards on the ground in the first half alone, amassing a ridiculous 121 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards in the first 30 minutes of play. A season-high 41-yard inside run was the primary contributor to the eruption. Although unlikely, McCaffrey needs 110 yards through the air in Week 18 to become the first running back in NFL history to accumulate 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air in the same season multiple times, with only he, Marshall Faulk, and Roger Craig accomplishing that feat to date. He can do so when the 49ers host the Seahawks in a battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Purdy’s only blemish on an otherwise spectacular outing occurred on the first offensive play from scrimmage, when a tipped ball resulted in a pick-six to ignite the game environment in what would become the game of the season. The former Mr. Irrelevant completely willed the team to victory to keep their chances of the No. 1 seed in the NFC intact, now requiring only a win over the Seahawks in Week 18 to secure. Arguably the most insane play was a touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk towards the end of the third quarter in which Purdy avoided two separate would-be sacks before nonchalantly flipping the ball to the perimeter for a score to his fullback. There were numerous other shining plays in the win, making his highlight reel on the evening one of the better ones to go back and watch for admirers of the game.

Burden’s only incompletion when targeted went down as a drop, which was really the only blemish in an otherwise sparkling game for the talented rookie. He served as the primary receiver with Rome Odunze on the shelf, in a game where both offenses combined for over 940 yards of total offense. Burden has continued to show his electric abilities with the ball in his hands this season and has made a case as one of the true rising stars in the league while ranking in the top five in fantasy points per route run at the position. Of note, Burden remained down on the field following his target in the end zone to end the game and it was reported that he was carted off the field as a result. Stay tuned for updates on his health in the coming days.

This game went off the rails in a hurry, with each team reaching desperation mode from the first offensive play from scrimmage as they battled it out for the chance to claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 18. The Bears won the coin toss and deferred, returning a pick-six for a touchdown on the first play. The two teams would then trade blows throughout the first half, becoming the first two teams to each score three or more touchdowns in the first 18 minutes of an NFL game since at least 1970. Chicago gave up a touchdown with just under five minutes remaining to fall behind by four points, getting the football back with enough time to march the field and get into scoring position. The drive eventually culminated with the ball on the three and five seconds remaining, time for one final play in regulation. San Francisco’s defense held on as Williams’ pass fell short and incomplete, marking the end of one of the games of the season. Williams and the Bears remains the No. 2 seed in the NFC after beating the Eagles earlier this season, although they’ll need to beat the Lions in Week 18 to preserve that position.

Kittle was thought to be “highly unlikely” to play after injuring his ankle a week ago, and was ultimately unable to suit up against the Bears. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will make his return to the lineup after missing Week 16. Also inactive for the 49ers are WR Jordan Watkins, DL Robert Beal Jr, RB Isaac Guerendo, DL Kevin Givens, CB Renardo Green, and LB Curtis Robinson.

Moore was one of many Chicago players to come down with the flu that has been ripping through the league this week but he ultimately felt well enough to suit up for Sunday Night Football. The same can’t be said for wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, who is inactive. Also inactive for the Bears are QB Case Keenum, WR Rome Odunze, CB Dallis Flowers, OL Luke Newman, DB Nick McCloud, and LB Ruben Hyppolite II.

McBride entered the proceedings three catches away from a career new high at 112. He exited with 119 grabs on the year, setting a new single-season record for a tight end with a game to spare. Today was his fourth 10-catch effort of the season, while he’s caught fewer than five balls only once. That was last week with Marvin Harrison Jr. back in the lineup. Today, MHJ aggravated his heel injury and failed to catch a pass. That means McBride could paint one more statistical masterpiece against the Rams in Week 18.

Ewers scored his first two career touchdowns in his first career win against the Buccaneers. The first score came on a busted coverage where WR Theo Wease Jr. got behind the Bucs defense and caught a lob for a 63-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Ewers limited risk within Mike McDaniel’s structured play-calling the rest of the game and connected with Greg Dulcich for an 11-yard score at the end of the second quarter. He hasn’t shown the strongest arm in his two starts this season, but a victory over a Bucs team looking to make the playoff certainly earns Ewers some merit. Still in the QB3 range for fantasy purposes, he will get one more start against the Pats in Week 18 to show the Dolphins he deserves starting consideration heading into next season.

Riley Leonard came on in relief of Rivers late in the game to throw a game-ending Hail Mary intercpetion that Rivers certainly would not have been able to come close to the end zone on, and looks likely (per Ian Rapaport) to start against the Texans in Week 18 now that the Colts are eliminated. Rivers got by on guts and drops did hurt the cause, but at the end of the day, the 44-year-old called out of retirement to try to save the season played like a 44-year-old called out of retirement to try to save the season. He couldn’t get enough oomph on his deeper passes, and with the score tied at 17, threw a floating pick (that was tipped) to the Jaguars to guarantee us a few more minutes of Phil Rivers Trailing In the Fourth Quarter Of A One Score Game. A sack in which he stepped up into his own lineman’s back and butt put the Colts in fourth-and-long with three minutes left, they went for it and never saw the ball again. If this is it — again — Rivers proved competent enough that it was earnestly amazing in his three starts. But it ends as we all thought it would against a gauntlet of playoff-caliber opponents.

Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense struggled once again, failing to finish key drives with touchdowns. They had a solid first quarter drive that was capped off by a Mayfield pass to Chris Godwin for a five-yard score. But Mayfield threw an interception deep in the second quarter to stall a Bucs drive, threw an interception in the red zone to stall another drive in the fourth, and ended the next drive with a strip sack. Mayfield finally capitalized with a 59-yard pass to Godwin late in the fourth quarter to start a drive that ended with a Mike Evans score. However, it was too late and the three turnovers were too much to overcome for the Bucs. Mayfield has taken a massive step back the second half of the season, playing through various ailments and with an offense that just recently got fully healthy. He finishes the fantasy season as a QB2 and will still have a chance to win the division in Week 18 against the Panthers.