QB Caleb Williams says Bears are ‘team to be reckoned with’ in playoffs after narrow loss to 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was frustrated after coming up short on the final play of a 42-38 loss at the 49ers on Sunday, but was resolute about where his team is headed.

The Bears traded scores with the 49ers all night and took a 38-35 lead with six minutes left, then the 49ers answered with a touchdown drive to go ahead 42-38. The Bears got the ball back at their own 35-yard line with 2:15 remaining and all their timeouts.

They got to the 49ers’ 2-yard line on the final play, which was a little bit of a mess. The pass rush was on Williams immediately, and he scrambled to his left to buy time, then threw short for wide receiver Jahdae Walker in the end zone.

Williams wasn’t looking to put a positive spin on the loss, but was upbeat about the Bears’ chances in the playoffs after battling in close games against the Packers and 49ers the last two weeks.

“We’ve proven who we are,” he said. “We’ll fight. We’re a team to be reckoned with. I’m excited for this next game.”

Williams played arguably his best game of the season, completing 25 of 42 passes for 330 yards with two touchdown passes for a 100.3 passer rating.

He also put himself within reach of becoming the Bears’ first 4,000-yard passer. He is at 3,730 after the 49ers game, exceeding his total as a rookie and moving him into ninth place in franchise history in career yardage before he has even finished his second season.

The defeat took the Bears out of the chase for the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC, but the No. 2 seed remains in their control. If they beat the Lions at home on Sunday or if the Eagles lose to the Commanders, the Bears go into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed.

That would mean a home game in the first round against the Packers and a home game in the divisional round if they advance.

That’s enough incentive for the Bears to go all out in the regular-season finale. Lions coach Dan Campbell hasn’t said if he’ll sit any starters, but the Bears appear to be treating it like a meaningful game.

“Your chances of winning when you’re at home is higher than when you’re away,” Williams said. “We want to give ourselves the best chances. We’ll get ready for this game just like any other game. We want to bring it to them.”