Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers Analysis & Prediction - 12/28/2025
Updated July 9, 2026
The Chicago Bears head to Levi’s Stadium on Sunday to take on the San Francisco 49ers in a critical Week 17 showdown with huge playoff implications for both teams. The 49ers have won five games in a row and are in contention in the NFC West, while the Bears are in the driver's seat in the NFC North standings. Before kickoff from Santa Clara, you can continue reading to get my Bears vs 49ers prediction.
Pick: | 49ers -3 |
Confidence: | 4/5 |
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San Francisco enters this game riding a five‑game winning streak and has shown offensive firepower recently, scoring 85 points over its last two games. That includes an impressive performance against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, where Brock Purdy threw five touchdown passes. The 49ers are chasing a higher seed in the NFC playoff race and need to sustain their strong form to control their destiny.
However, uncertainty looms around tight end George Kittle’s availability after a recent ankle injury and the team remains without star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, whose season has been derailed by injury and off‑field issues. The Niners may not be fully healthy right now, but they could have Fred Warner back on defense for the playoffs, which would be huge for their hopes of reaching the Super Bowl.
For the Bears, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been a revelation. In Week 16, Williams led a remarkable comeback to beat the Packers in overtime, throwing a game-winning 46‑yard touchdown to DJ Moore and finishing with over 300 passing yards. Chicago’s defense has also made key plays, including forcing turnovers and making stops in critical moments. The Bears have clinched a playoff spot and look to secure the NFC North title with a win, giving them additional motivation against the 49ers on Sunday night.
Caleb Williams has continued to justify the Bears’ decision to build around his talent, showing poise and playmaking ability throughout the season. His ability to rally Chicago late in games has been a defining factor in their season and should give Chicago some confidence heading into a hostile environment this week.
For the 49ers, Brock Purdy’s recent performances have been outstanding, highlighted by his five‑touchdown night against the Colts. Purdy’s play has been a catalyst for San Francisco’s offensive success in recent weeks and Purdy's life is made easier by the constant threat of Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield.
This is going to be a close and competitive game between two teams that could end up in the NFC Championship Game in about a month's time. I think the Niners have the edge in this game, thanks to their home-field advantage and championship-level experience in games much bigger than this one. Expect a stumble for the Bears in their biggest game of the Caleb Williams era and for the Niners to cover the number.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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