Overview
- Both teams enter 11-4 for Sunday Night Football at Levi’s Stadium, where the 49ers can still reach the NFC’s No. 1 seed by winning this week and in Week 18, and the Bears clinch the division with a victory.
- Five-time All-Pro George Kittle sprained his ankle and is listed as questionable — described as a game-time decision — as San Francisco’s offense surges behind Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.
- San Francisco’s defense has been without stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner and ranks near the bottom in sacks and pressure, putting a premium on keeping Caleb Williams in the pocket.
- Chicago leads the NFL in takeaways at plus-21 (31 takeaways, 10 turnovers) but has key defenders listed as questionable, including T.J. Edwards, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Nahshon Wright; WR Rome Odunze remains out as Luther Burden is expected to return.
- Reported keys include Chicago leaning on a top-tier rushing attack and play-action to control possession, while the 49ers look to sustain their third-down and red-zone efficiency and limit explosive gains.