What the 49ers said after beating the Bears in heart-thumping NFC showdown

The 49ers outlasted the Chicago Bears on Sunday night to stay in the hunt for the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, winning a barnburner 42-38.

The defense struggled throughout but came through when it mattered, holding the Bears to a field goal in the fourth quarter and then keeping them out of the end zone as time expired.

Brock Purdy overcame an interception returned for a touchdown on the game’s first play to account for five 49ers touchdowns — three passing and two rushing. He was 24-of-33 for 303 yards...