“Whenever our name’s called, age doesn’t matter,” Loveland said. The Bears have called upon the four a lot down the stretch: • Burden, one of three Bears second-round picks, had a career-high 138 receiving yards Sunday. Only two NFL rookies have totaled more in a game this season.

The Detroit Lions (8-8) visit the Chicago Bears (11-5) at Soldier Field in Chicago for a Week 18 showdown, and USA TODAY's panel of NFL experts have locked in their picks and predictions for the action. Here's everything you need to know before kickoff on Sunday, January 4, including live updated odds and injury report news.

The simplest scenario for the Chicago Bears is to win Sunday, earn the No. 2 seed and face the Green Bay Packers. If they lose, it gets more complicated.

After a playoff berth, the Bears target Super Bowl contention, defensive line upgrades, and rookie receiver leaps for 2026.

Brock Purdy threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns as San Francisco is now one win away from earning the NFC's top seed.

The emergence of the Bears’ top two draft picks, tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III, has helped fuel an offense that ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in scoring and total yards.

The Bears and 49ers proved Sunday night that they have the offensive horsepower to go that deep in the postseason, engaging in a duel at Levi’s Stadium that featured 936 total yards, 58 first downs and 10 offensive touchdowns.

Wright is another example of an overlooked player who has found his way into Chicago's 2026 plans. The corner was a 2021 third-round pick who has been let go by both the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. Chicago was the defender's third stop of his career and it has proven to be by far the best.

Sunday Night Football schedule, TV channel, time, streaming information for Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 17 game on Dec. 28, 2025.

DFS multimillionaire Mike McClure reveals his top daily Fantasy advice for the 'SNF' matchup of Bears vs. 49ers