Two groups with aspirations of claiming the NFC’s prime seed battle Sunday night time when the Chicago Bears tackle the San Francisco 49ers at Santa Clara, Calif.
Each groups have 11-4 data however the NFC North-leading Bears are at present within the No. 2 place whereas the 49ers are at No. 5.
Chicago clinched a playoff spot with final Saturday’s 22-16 extra time victory over the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Bears might clinch the division crown if the Packers lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. If Inexperienced Bay wins, Chicago can clinch by beating San Francisco.
“My aim is not simply to get to the playoffs — my aim is to win and win massive,” Bears breakout second-year quarterback Caleb Williams mentioned.
Chicago additionally craves the No. 1 seed, at present held by the Seattle Seahawks (12-3).
“Our step No. 1 was to get to 11 (wins),” Bears coach Ben Johnson mentioned. “There’s by no means been an 11-win group to not make it, and so we felt fairly good about that being the quantity going into the season. That was the 1st step. Step two is we wish to win this division. We wish to have a minimum of one residence playoff recreation. After which step three could be clinch a No. 1 seed.
“So there are plenty of issues nonetheless on the market to play for. Our guys know that.”
The 49ers clinched a playoff spot final Sunday, at some point earlier than whipping the Indianapolis Colts 48-27.
San Francisco has received 5 straight video games and fancies a run on the No. 1 seed. The Tremendous Bowl will probably be performed in its residence stadium in Santa Clara this season.
The 49ers are a part of a power-packed NFC West that has three groups with 11 or extra wins, counting the present No. 6 seed Los Angeles Rams.
“We’ve got to now concentrate on attempting to be the most effective group we might be and see what occurs,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned. “Now it is time to place ourselves. These guys earned the fitting to be within the playoffs.”
Brock Purdy handed for a career-high 5 landing passes in an excellent efficiency in opposition to the Colts. Purdy is the primary San Francisco quarterback to throw a minimum of 5 TDs in a recreation since Corridor of Famer Steve Younger tossed a Tremendous Bowl-record six throughout a rout of the San Diego Chargers in Tremendous Bowl XXIX (1994 season).
Shanahan was extremely impressed with the efficiency. Purdy’s opinion was extra combined.
“There are nonetheless issues that I’ve to scrub up and I simply wish to get higher at,” Purdy mentioned. “You don’t need it to return up in one other recreation and one other state of affairs, so (there’s) undoubtedly room for enchancment.”
Star tight finish George Kittle sprained his left ankle within the recreation in opposition to the Colts and sat out Wednesday’s apply. It stays attainable he might play in opposition to the Bears.
“He is bought an opportunity,” Shanahan mentioned Wednesday. “We’re not ruling him out.”
Defensive finish Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) was the one different San Francisco participant who sat out on account of harm or sickness.
In the meantime, Williams has thrown 10 landing passes over the previous 5 video games and has 23 for the season in opposition to six interceptions. He has handed for 3,400 yards and his progress is a giant cause why Chicago has received 11 of its final 13 video games.
Final Sunday, Williams tossed a game-winning 46-yard scoring move to DJ Moore in OT. The Bears trailed by 10 late within the fourth quarter earlier than mounting the rally.
“You wish to be a clutch group,” Johnson mentioned. “You need to have the ability to deal with the stress and rise to the event. We have a group constructed like that.”
5 Bears missed Wednesday’s apply on account of harm or sickness. Receiver Rome Odunze (foot) is bettering however anticipated to overlook his fourth consecutive recreation.
Additionally sitting out have been linebackers T.J. Edwards (glute) and D’Marco Jackson (sickness), defensive again Nick McCloud (sickness) and return specialist Devin Duvernay (sickness).
San Francisco routed the Bears 38-13 final season and piled up seven sacks of Williams.
–Area Degree Media
