(Photo: DAZN)

NFC Game Of The Week

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

Bears (11-4):

Games like what we saw on Saturday night are exactly why so many of us—including myself—love the game of football. Haven’t we learned by now that no lead is safe in today’s NFL? That lesson was once again on full display in Week 16. There were stretches in the game against the Green Bay Packers where the Bears looked bad and simply couldn’t get anything going. But as they’ve done all season, they found a way to fight back—clawing their way into the game, tying it up, and sending it to overtime, where Caleb Williams made the throw of his life to D.J. Moore to complete the comeback against their archrivals. The city of Chicago is buzzing, and so is this fanbase, which has patiently waited for moments like this for years—and now it’s finally here. A coach who actually knows what he’s doing, and a quarterback who can make big-time throws when you need them most. At 11–4, the Bears are closing in on their first division title since 2018 and remain in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. That said, the same thing I’ve said about the Buffalo Bills applies here as well: you can’t always rely on coming back from behind. There will be games where the opponent won’t let you back in and will keep their foot on the gas. Outside of that concern, I’ve been extremely impressed with how this team has come together. On Sunday night, they head to a place they hope to return to in February—Levi’s Stadium.

49ers (11-4):

I’ll be honest—I didn’t know what to make of this team for much of the season. On this site and on the radio, I’ve always said that when the 49ers are healthy, they’re one of the hardest teams in football to beat. Pencil them in for Championship Sunday and a legitimate shot to win the NFC. But when they aren’t healthy and key players are sidelined, the struggles are noticeable. This season, they’ve lost both Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for the year to knee injuries, and Brock Purdy missed six games with a lingering toe issue. Despite all of that, they’ve managed to stay afloat and remain in the hunt not only for the NFC West, but for the top seed in the NFC playoffs. If San Francisco wins the division and locks up that top spot, Kyle Shanahan would be my pick for Coach of the Year. Not always having a healthy roster, yet still leading your team to wins in this league, speaks volumes. Monday night was the best the 49ers have looked all season, and arguably the best Brock Purdy has looked since becoming the starter. He threw five touchdown passes in a blowout win over the Indianapolis Colts. My only concern is their lack of a consistent pass rush. The only time they were able to consistently pressure the quarterback was when they sent extra rushers and blitzed. Unfortunately, that could come back to haunt them in the playoffs—but it’s also understandable given that their best pass rusher, Nick Bosa, is out. On Sunday night, they return home to face the leaders of the NFC North.

Bears X-Factor: D.J. Moore

Go D.J., ’cause that’s my D.J. (I hope you sang along while reading this). This is the Bears’ most dangerous offensive weapon and the one player who can consistently win his matchups against elite coverage. His yards-after-catch (YAC) ability will be huge against a San Francisco defense that rallies well to the football, where one missed tackle can turn into a big-time gain. It will be critical to get D.J. involved early—slants, screens, and motion—to prevent the 49ers’ defense from swarming to the ball. If he commands attention, it opens things up for the rest of the offense.

49ers X-Factor: Dee Winters

He has stepped up and provided leadership and production for this defense, and he’ll be key on Sunday night. Dee is a versatile linebacker who can cover tight ends, running backs, and slot receivers—an important trait against a Bears offense that thrives on quick passes and short gains. I like how quickly he reacts once he reads the play, often disrupting rhythm before it even starts. Dee is also a turnover machine who can force takeaways in multiple ways. I expect his presence to be felt early.

Final Thoughts:

I’ve been excited for this matchup, and now it’s finally here—two 11–4 teams with a chance to position themselves for the top seed in the NFC. When I think about these franchises, I think of the legendary players from both sides who now wear gold jackets. We’re also getting two Coach of the Year candidates on the same field in Ben Johnson and Kyle Shanahan. For the Bears, the first priority must be containing Christian McCaffrey, the engine that makes this offense go. Force the 49ers into obvious passing situations, and when McCaffrey touches the ball, rally and tackle immediately—nothing after the catch. Tackling in space will be critical. Winning early downs will also be important for Chicago, as San Francisco’s defense is elite on third-and-long. The Bears must run the football and complete high-efficiency passes. On the other side, I remain concerned about the 49ers’ pass rush, especially since they rely heavily on blitzing to generate pressure. Even so, they still need to win in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Continuing to win in the YAC game—a hallmark of this offense—will be crucial. Get the ball to playmakers in space, because missed tackles turn short gains into explosive plays. Above all, protect the football. Against a Bears defense that thrives on turnovers, clean football is essential. Take what the defense gives you, avoid risky throws, and don’t allow momentum swings. This is a classic matchup under the lights on Sunday night.

Prediction:

Bears 27, 49ers 20