Game Time: Sunday, December 28, 2025 – Sunday Night Football
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Spread: Bears +3
Record: Both teams 11-4
Alright Bears fans, this is it. This is the game that could define our entire season.
We’re 11-4. ELEVEN AND FOUR. The Chicago Bears—yes, OUR Chicago Bears—are traveling to the Bay Area on Sunday Night Football to face a 49ers team that’s also 11-4 and playing for everything.
Win this game, and we’re in the driver’s seat for the NFC North title. Lose it, and suddenly we’re sweating bullets hoping the Vikings slip up. No pressure, right?
Current Betting Lines for Bears at 49ers
Spread: 49ers -3
Moneyline: 49ers -192, Bears +164
Over/Under: 46.5
Let me get this straight—we’re 11-4, they’re 11-4, and we’re getting THREE points? I know it’s at Levi’s Stadium, but that line feels disrespectful. Then again, maybe Vegas knows something we don’t. Or maybe this is exactly the trap game situation where we come in as underdogs and shock everyone.
I’m choosing to believe the latter because I’ve invested too much emotional energy in this season to think negatively now.
Bears at 11-4: How the Hell Did We Get Here?
Can we just take a moment to appreciate this?
The Chicago Bears are 11-4 in Week 17. We’re not tanking. We’re not “playing for draft position.” We’re playing for a division title and a playoff bye. This is not a drill.
What’s Working for the Bears
Ben Johnson’s Offensive Genius
Ben Johnson deserves Coach of the Year consideration, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. This man took our offense from “hope Caleb doesn’t die” to “legitimate scoring threat every drive.”
The play calling has been creative, unpredictable, and perfectly suited to Caleb Williams’ skill set. We’re not just running the ball and praying anymore—we’ve got an actual SYSTEM.
Caleb Williams Is Growing Up Before Our Eyes
Remember when everyone (including me) was worried about Caleb being too raw? Too turnover-prone? Too reckless?
Well, the kid is figuring it out. His improvisation is elite—when plays break down, he doesn’t panic. He extends plays, finds receivers, and makes things happen. Against elite pass rushes, that mobility is a weapon.
The Defense Is Good Enough
Look, we’re not the 1985 Bears defense. But we’re solid. We create turnovers, we get pressure, and we make life difficult for opposing offenses. Against good teams, we’ve kept games close all season long.
That’s all we need—keep it close, let Caleb work his magic, and trust that we can win one-possession games down the stretch.
Our Path to 11-4
It hasn’t been easy. We’ve beaten some good teams, scratched out close wins when we needed to, and found ways to survive in tight games. That’s what good teams do.
The NFC North is within reach. One more win puts us in control of our destiny heading into the playoffs.
The 49ers: Everything We’re Not (And Everything We Fear)
San Francisco is 11-4 for a reason. They’re talented, experienced, well-coached, and playing at home in prime time.
What Makes the 49ers Dangerous
Brock Purdy Is Legit
I hate admitting this, but Brock Purdy is really good. Mr. Irrelevant has turned into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in football. He doesn’t make mistakes, he gets the ball out quick, and he’s got weapons everywhere.
Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle
CMC is a cheat code. The man can run, catch, block, and probably throw if Kyle Shanahan asked him to. And George Kittle? He’s basically a tackle who can catch touchdowns.
Stopping both of them is nearly impossible. Containing them enough to win? That’s the challenge.
Kyle Shanahan’s Offense
Shanahan is one of the best play-callers in football. He’s going to scheme receivers open, create mismatches, and make our defense work for everything.
The good news? Ben Johnson is every bit as good. This is a coaching chess match, and our guy can hang with anyone.
Home Field Advantage
Levi’s Stadium on Sunday Night Football is not an easy place to win. The crowd will be loud, the 49ers will be motivated, and we’re flying across the country after a short week.
This is the ultimate road test.
Expert Picks: They’re Mostly Fading Us
Let’s see what the so-called “experts” think:
Picking the 49ers (-3):
Jordan Mendoza – “San Francisco is clicking on all cylinders”
Jon Hoefling – “Too bad the Niners don’t have a pass rush” (rude, but fair)
Lorenzo Reyes – “49ers have the more complete roster”
Christopher Bumbaca – “Fade the public” (double rude)
Picking the Bears (+3):
Tyler Dragon – “Bears have found ways to win all season”
Blake Schuster – “Take the points”
So four experts like San Francisco, two like us with the points. Cool. Love being the underdog. We’ll remember this.
Why the Bears Can Win This Game
1. Caleb’s Mobility Neutralizes Pass Rush
Jon Hoefling made a good point (even if it was sarcastic)—the 49ers don’t have an elite pass rush this year. Their defensive line is good, but it’s not 2019 good.
That plays perfectly into Caleb Williams’ hands. When he can extend plays and improvise, he’s at his most dangerous. If the 49ers can’t get consistent pressure, Caleb will pick them apart.
2. We’ve Won Close Games All Year
Every expert mentioned it—the Bears play close games against good teams. We don’t blow people out, but we find ways to win when it matters.
This game will be tight. One possession, down to the wire. And we’ve proven all season that we can win those games.
3. Ben Johnson Will Out-Scheme Shanahan
Bold claim? Maybe. But I believe it.
Johnson has been incredible all season. He’s adaptive, creative, and perfectly in tune with Caleb’s strengths. Shanahan is great, but Johnson has been better this year.
If this turns into a play-calling battle, I trust our guy.
4. Extra Rest Helps
We played Thursday, they played Sunday. We’ve got a few extra days to prepare, recover, and game plan. That matters, especially for a young quarterback making his first prime-time road start in a huge game.
5. We’re Playing for Everything
The NFC North title is right there. We win this game, and we control our destiny. That kind of motivation can overcome home field advantage.
The 49ers are playing for a division title too, but they’re also dealing with the pressure of Super Bowl expectations. We’re the hungry underdogs with nothing to lose.
The 49ers’ Advantages (Unfortunately, They’re Real)
Home Field on SNF
Levi’s Stadium will be rocking. The crowd, the lights, the pressure—it all favors San Francisco.
More Complete Roster
Lorenzo Reyes is right—the 49ers have more talent top to bottom. Their offense is loaded, their defense is experienced, and they’ve been here before.
Kyle Shanahan
He’s one of the best coaches in football. He’ll have a plan to attack our weaknesses, and he’ll execute it perfectly.
Playoff Experience
The 49ers have been to multiple NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl recently. Our core is young and hungry, but inexperienced in these moments.
My Prediction: Bears Keep It Close, Maybe Win Outright
Here’s what I think happens:
The game is tight the entire way. Neither team pulls away. It comes down to a final drive, maybe a field goal, maybe a Caleb Williams magic moment.
Do we win? I think we CAN. I think we’re good enough. I think Ben Johnson will have Caleb ready, and I think our defense will make enough plays to keep us in it.
Final Score: 49ers 24, Bears 23
Yeah, I’m predicting we lose by one. But we cover the +3 easily, and we prove we belong on this stage.
If I’m wrong and we actually WIN? Even better. But I’m managing my expectations because this is the Bears, and hope is dangerous.
Betting Picks from a Homer
Spread: Bears +3 ✓✓✓
We’ve covered against good teams all year. Three points feels like free money.
Moneyline: Bears +164
A small sprinkle on the outright win. We’re live underdogs, and that price is tasty.
Over 46.5
Both offenses are clicking. I like the over in a potential shootout.
Keys to Victory
For the Bears to win:
Caleb makes zero mistakes (no pick-sixes, no fumbles)
Defense forces at least one turnover
Win time of possession (keep their offense off the field)
Special teams doesn’t screw us (looking at you, field goal unit)
Get an early lead and make THEM chase
What could go wrong:
CMC goes off for 150+ total yards
Purdy picks apart our secondary
We turn the ball over in the red zone
49ers jump out early and we’re playing from behind all game
Refs make questionable calls (always a concern on the road)
The Honest Bears Fan Take
This is the biggest game of the season so far. Win, and we’re in the driver’s seat for the division. Lose, and we’re sweating out the final week.
The 49ers are really good. Better roster, more experience, home field advantage. On paper, they should win.
But we’re 11-4 for a reason. We’ve found ways to win all season. Ben Johnson is a wizard. Caleb Williams is special. Our defense is tough.
I think we keep it within a field goal. I think we cover the spread. And I think we have a legitimate shot at winning outright if everything breaks right.
Bears 24, 49ers 23 is my heart pick.
49ers 27, Bears 24 is my head pick.
Either way, I’m riding with the Bears. We’ve come too far to doubt now.
Bear Down. Let’s shock the world on Sunday Night Football.
Game Info:
When: Sunday, December 28, 2025 (SNF)
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: NBC, Peacock
Spread: Bears +3
Moneyline: 49ers -192, Bears +164
Over/Under: 46.5
Bear Down and FTP (always).
The post Bears vs 49ers Week 17 Prediction Game Today December 28: Can We Win on Sunday Night Football in Santa Clara? appeared first on UrbanMatter.
