Caleb Williams completed 25-of-42 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 42-38, Week 17 loss to the 49ers, adding 18 yards on five carries.
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.