The NFC top-of-the-table clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears lived up to its promise. In a true offensive spectacle, the Californians ultimately had the better answer.

The San Francisco 49ers won the top match of the 17th NFL game day against the Chicago Bears, keeping their chances of the NFC’s number 1 seed alive. After a top-class offensive battle, the Niners prevailed 42-38.

With a home win against the Seattle Seahawks on the last match day, San Francisco would take the top spot in the NFC and enter the playoffs with a bye and home-field advantage throughout. For the Bears, however, the defeat in California dashed their dreams of the No. 1 seed, but they had already secured the NFC North division title.

The game could hardly have started better for Chicago. On the very first play of the game, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy threw an interception that T.J. Edwards carried into the end zone for a pick six. But the lead didn’t last long, as San Francisco tied the game on the very next drive.

Niners give up lead – and strike back

After a brief respite with three punts, the offenses really hit their stride. Five consecutive drives ended in touchdowns, with the Niners repeatedly taking the lead. The Bears had to punt on their last drive before the break, and San Francisco went into halftime with a 28-21 lead.

The offensive fireworks continued in the second half with three consecutive touchdown drives. The Bears tied the game and finally managed to force the Niners to punt. After a successful field goal, Chicago took a 38-35 lead with about five minutes remaining.

But that wasn’t the last chapter in this thriller. San Francisco got the ball back, marched a good distance down the field, and Purdy found his wide receiver Jauan Jennings for a 38-yard touchdown.

Bears unable to find an answer

Shortly before the two-minute warning, the Bears got the ball back trailing by four points, and quarterback Caleb Williams led his team to the end zone – but an incomplete pass to Jahdae Walker with the clock running out ended the game.

Purdy put in an excellent performance after his false start at the beginning of the game, not only throwing three touchdown passes but also running into the end zone twice himself. The Niners could also rely on Christian McCaffrey, with the star running back gaining 140 yards and scoring a touchdown.

For the Bears, Williams recorded two touchdown passes, and running back D’Andre Swift ran into the end zone twice. Despite a tough running game overall and the loss of wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, Chicago managed to produce 440 offensive yards, while San Francisco broke the 500-yard mark.