Studs and duds from Bears' gut-wrenching Week 17 loss to 49ers

The Chicago Bears' hopes for the No. 1 seed died at Levi's Stadium during Sunday night's Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Bears fell one play short when Caleb Williams' final pass of the game fell to the turf, sending Chicago home as the 42-38 loser.

Indeed, there are no moral victories at this point in the NFL season, but if we're being honest, no Bears fan would've really thought Chicago would be in this position this quickly during the Ben Johnson era.

And by this position, I mean the NFC North champions fighting for the first-round bye down to the final play of Week 17.

So, yeah, maybe losing to the 49ers by one score in a game that was very winnable isn't a moral victory, but it didn't hurt the Bears' optics.

If anything, their performance on Sunday night in front of a national viewing audience elevated their standing around the NFL.

Here are the studs and duds from the Bears' Week 17 loss.

NEXT: STUD

STUD: Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams is getting better by the week. And it feels like we're saying this every week.

In Week 17's loss to the 49ers, Williams was fantastic, connecting on 25 of 42 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns.

His arm talent was on display, especially on this 36-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Colston Loveland:

Williams' completion percentage has been a talking point over the last few games, and rightfully so. He must improve on the 58% rate he was completing passes entering Week 17.

But the similarities between Williams' second season and Josh Allen's are remarkable. And it feels like Williams is developing into an MVP-caliber quarterback as his second season comes to a close.

NEXT: DUD

DUD: Dennis Allen

The San Francisco 49ers embarrassed the Chicago Bears' defense, and the buck stops with Dennis Allen.

Allen had no answer for Kyle Shanahan's playcalling. If this were a heavyweight fight, the ref would've stepped in and saved Allen from injury.

The 49ers had nearly 500 yards of offense, including 200 rushing yards, and kept Bears defenders on skates for four quarters.

Sure, Chicago has been the best in the NFL at takeaways. But they must get more consistent forcing three-and-outs, and getting to the quarterback if this team wants to make a serious run at the Super Bowl.

NEXT: STUD

STUD: Luther Burden

Luther Burden had a true breakout game against the San Francisco 49ers, totaling eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.

Burden looked like the Bears' version of Justin Jefferson at times. He was uncoverable and almost equally untouchable after the catch.

There's no doubt he's the most physically gifted playmaker on Chicago's roster, and that includes 2024 first-round pick, Rome Odunze.

Unfortunately, Burden was injured on the final play of the game. ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported it's a hamstring injury. We'll have more information on this as it becomes available.

NEXT: DUD

DUD: Montez Sweat

Maybe the All-22 will tell a different story, but Sweat was nearly invisible as a pass rusher on Sunday night.

He did flash at times, and he played with a high motor. But he was otherwise ineffective for an overall ineffective pass rush that totaled just one sack of Brock Purdy (courtesy of Austin Booker).

Sweat is having a good season. He should finish the year with double-digit sacks (he entered Week 17 with 9.5). But he has to level up his play for the Bears' defense to play at a contender's level.

NEXT: STUD

STUD: Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland has made good on his top-10 pick status in 2025. He was fantastic against the 49ers, finishing second on the team with six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Loveland has quickly become Caleb Williams' security blanket on key third downs, and he's proven to be as reliable as a grizzled veteran.

It's been quite a ride in Year 1 for the former Michigan star, whose slow start to the season sparked early 'bust' whispers.

Loveland has silenced any concerns about his NFL outlook. He's a superstar.

NEXT: STUD

STUD: D'Andre Swift

We have to give D'Andre Swift his flowers, too. His career year continued in Week 17. He totaled nine carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns and added another 25 yards as a receiver.

Swift eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career, and his nine touchdowns represent a new career high.

Kudos to Swift, who looked like he had one foot out of Chicago after a middling 2024 campaign.