Like a heavyweight fight, the Bears and 49ers trade blows late into the fourth quarter in Santa Clara, California.
Cairo Santos kicks a go-ahead 29-yard field goal for a 38-35 Bears lead with 5:22 left.
Then a Bears defense, getting gashed for 496 total yards, allows the 49ers down field for a go-ahead 38-yard touchdown pass with 2:15 to play.
Trailing 42-38 at the 'Niners two-yard line, Caleb Williams (who has magic in his bag- a league high six fourth quarter comeback wins) but no more time left on the clock.
On the doorstep of a winning score a scrambling Williams throws an off-balance, one-hopper incomplete to a diving Jahdae Walker in the endzone as time expires.
The Bears take the 'L', 42-38.
"It's frustrating obviously." Williams says.
Along with HC Ben Johnson, Williams admits the final play call came in late, hindering their chance at pre-snap adjustments.
"You don't want to lose a game ever. Having a shot at the end is all you can ask for in those moments. We've got to do a better job over all- just execution. We made too many mistakes as a team." According to Williams.
Williams throws for 330 yards, two touchdowns, 0 interceptions. QB rating: 100.3.
Williams is now only 109 yards away from breaking Erik Kramer's Bears single season passing yards record (3,838yds). He's 4 TD passes away from Kramer's team record of 29, also set in 1995.
Head coach Ben Johnson comes away impressed with Williams being able to go blow-for-blow with more established 49ers QB Brock Purdy. Until Williams final swing and miss.
"He (Caleb) knew he needed to come out and make some plays for us here tonight." Johnson says.
"When you're going against a dynamic offense like that you talk about the possibilities as an offense us going tit for tat with them. At times we were able to answer that call. They just ended up making more plays than us."
Williams 25-42 (59.5%) passing. Purdey 24-33 (72.7%), 303yds, 3 TD, 2 rushing TD. Christian McCaffrey adds 140 yards rushing, 1 TD, plus 4 catches for 41 yards.
The favored 49ers have won six in-a-row improving to 12-6. This game was a true, post-season style practice test for the Bears.
"It's an early view of what the playoffs can be." Says guard Jonah Jackson.
"It was a big one. It was exciting. It was a great atmosphere. There's nothing like being on the road in a legendary spot like Levi's Stadium and going head to head with a titan."
Jackson helped open holes for D'Andre Swift's 54 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.
The Bears had a 7-0 lead on a stunning interception return touchdown on the 49ers first play from scrimmage- T.J. Edwards 34 yards.
Then the visitors make a habit of falling behind, only to rally to tie the game 14-14, 21-21, 28-28, and 35-35 (w/5:22 rem). Eventually falling four points short.
They've got one game to go before the playoffs.
"I think we've proven who we are. We'll fight” Caleb Williams says.
"I think we're a team to reckoned with."
The Bears slept over in California to avoid a 4 a.m. arrival home. They'll return to practice Wednesday.
The (11-5) Bears host the (8-8) Detroit Lions, Sunday, at 3:25 p.m. in the regular season finale.
In order to clinch the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs, the North champion Bears need a win over the Lions OR an Eagles loss to the Commanders (also Sunday, 3:25 p.m.).
A loss to the Lions plus an Eagles win pushes the Bears down to the #3 seed.
The Bears have a tie-breaker lead on the Eagles for the 2 seed thanks to a head-to-head victory.
The Bears are guaranteed to host at least one playoff game at Soldier Field either Saturday January 10 (2 scheduled), Sunday January 11 (3 scheduled) or Monday January 12 (1 scheduled).