Sunday Night Football Showdown: 49ers Seize 28–21 Halftime Lead Over Bears After Wild First Half

Watch Sunday Football Live: Sunday Night Football Streaming Guide as 49ers Lead Bears 28–21 at Halftime | How to Stream NFL Tonight, Sunday Football Streaming Options, and Where to Watch the SNF Game Today

Watch Sunday Football fans were treated to a thrilling prime-time matchup as Sunday Night Football delivered fireworks early, with the San Francisco 49ers holding a 28–21 halftime lead over the Chicago Bears. For viewers searching for Sunday football streaming, stream the NFL game tonight, or wondering NFL tonight how to watch, this matchup instantly became one of the most talked-about Sunday NFL games streaming experiences of the season. Whether fans are using Hulu NFL games this Sunday, NFL Sunday Night Ticket, Sling TV Sunday Night Football, Sunday Night Football on Roku, or asking how to watch Sunday Night Football streaming, the game lived up to the hype.

From NBC Football Night in America coverage to discussions across ESPN 49ers, San Francisco 49ers ESPN, and NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers, the spotlight was firmly on Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and a dominant San Francisco offense. As fans searched for watch football Sunday, watch NFL Sunday Night, NFL tonight streaming, and football night in America stream, the 49ers delivered a performance worthy of the national stage.

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A Prime-Time Sunday Night Football Showcase

The matchup, featured as the SNF game today and one of the most anticipated NFL Sunday prime time contests, showcased why Sunday Night Football tonight how to watch trends every week. Fans tuning in via Sunday Night Football Sling, Sunday Night Football on Sling, Sling Sunday Night Football, Sunday Night Football Sling TV, or even Sunday Night Football Apple TV, witnessed one of the wildest first halves of the season.

For those using DirectTV NFL game tonight, NFL tonight DirectTV, NFL football tonight on DirectTV, or football tonight on DirectTV, the game was front and center, while cord-cutters explored football Sunday streaming, stream NFL tonight, and watch Sunday Night Football on Roku.

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Disaster Turns to Dominance for 49ers Purdy

The game began in shocking fashion. On the very first snap, 49ers Purdy threw a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards. The pick-six immediately had fans asking if this would derail the 23 San Francisco 49ers on national television.

Instead, 49er Purdy responded with poise. What followed was one of the most unusual quarterback quarters in Sunday Night Football history. Purdy threw a touchdown pass, rushed for a touchdown, and threw a pick-six all in the first quarter — a stat that quickly circulated across San Francisco 49ers ESPN, 49ers CBS, and ESPN 49ers discussions.

For fans checking 49ers game right now, the answer was clear: San Francisco was locked in.

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Christian McCaffrey Powers the 23 49ers

As viewers continued to watch Sunday football streaming, Christian McCaffrey reminded everyone why he is the engine of this offense. Wearing No. 23, McCaffrey was dominant for the 23 49ers, racking up 121 rushing yards on 18 carries in the first half alone. His 5-yard touchdown run, his 10th rushing score of the season, further cemented his MVP-caliber campaign.

Across NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers, CSN Bay Area 49ers, and local broadcasts, analysts highlighted how McCaffrey’s vision, balance, and power allowed San Francisco to control the game. Fans searching watch NFL Sunday Night or today’s Sunday Night Football game saw the 49ers dictate tempo.

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Bears Fight Back in the Sunday Night Football Game Today

Despite San Francisco’s dominance, Chicago refused to fade. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams connected with Luther Burden for a 35-yard touchdown, then later found tight end Colston Loveland for a 36-yard score. Each time the Bears struck, they kept fans engaged across Sunday night football Paramount Plus, Sunday Night Football on Paramount Plus, and even discussions comparing streaming platforms like Peacock TV Monday Night Football and Prime Time Thursday Night Football.

Williams’ performance sparked conversations about the Bears’ future and gave neutral fans tuning in for Sunday NFL games streaming something to cheer about.

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Brock Purdy Adds His Legs to the Highlights

Perhaps the most surprising element of the first half was Purdy’s rushing impact. His 10-yard touchdown run and later 3-yard score showcased a different dimension of his game. As Fred Warner 49ers and the defense celebrated stops, Purdy ensured the offense stayed aggressive.

By halftime, Purdy was 14-of-20 for 164 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, adding two rushing touchdowns. Fans checking 49ers Purdy, 49er Purdy, and 49ers Kyle Juszczyk updates online saw an offense firing on all cylinders.

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Total Control: Time of Possession and Efficiency

One of the biggest reasons San Francisco led at halftime was control. The 49ers dominated time of possession nearly 22 minutes to just over eight minutes. They converted five of seven third downs and totaled 330 yards of offense.

This level of control is exactly what fans expect when they watch Sunday Night Football streaming or tune in through NFL tonight streaming platforms. The Bears scored quickly, but the 49ers answered with methodical drives, wearing down the defense.

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Injury Watch: Trent Williams Leaves the Game

One concern emerged amid the excitement. Star left tackle Trent Williams exited early with a hamstring injury and did not return before halftime. As fans searched 49ers game right now, speculation grew about how his absence might affect the second half.

Analysts on NBC Football Night in America noted that if Williams remained out, Chicago could find opportunities to pressure Purdy more consistently.

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How to Watch Sunday Night Football and NFL Tonight

As interest surged, fans continued asking NFL tonight how to watch, watch Sunday Night Football streaming, and stream NFL tonight. The game was available across multiple platforms, including NBC and affiliated streaming services, as well as devices supporting Sunday Night Football on Roku, Sunday Night Football Sling, and Sunday Night Football Apple TV.

Viewers also compared options like NFL Sunday Ticket Monday Night Football, Sunday Ticket Monday Night Football, and other packages for future games, including NFL Thursday (NFLThursday) and NFLthursday matchups.

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Bigger Picture for the San Francisco 49ers

This performance reinforced why the r9ers — as fans jokingly type during fast-moving live chats — are considered Super Bowl contenders. With leaders like Fred Warner on defense, McCaffrey dominating on offense, and Purdy showing resilience, the San Francisco 49ers ESPN narrative continues to trend upward.

Though unrelated matchups like 49ers Commanders were discussed by fans looking ahead on schedules, the focus Sunday night was squarely on finishing this game strong.

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What’s Next After Halftime?

With Chicago receiving the second-half kickoff, the Bears had a chance to swing momentum. For fans continuing to watch football Sunday, the question was whether San Francisco could maintain control or if the Bears could turn the Sunday Night Football game today into a classic comeback.

As millions continued to watch NFL Sunday Night, one thing was certain: this was exactly what Sunday Night Football is meant to be — dramatic, fast-paced, and unforgettable.

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Final Thoughts

From explosive touchdowns to historic quarterback moments, this matchup delivered everything fans expect when they watch Sunday football streaming. Whether viewed through Sling TV Sunday Night Football, Sunday Night Football on Paramount Plus, or traditional broadcasts, the 49ers vs. Bears showdown reminded everyone why NFL Sunday prime time remains must-watch television.

As the second half approached, searches for nfl tonight streaming, watch Sunday Night Football on Roku, and football night in America stream continued to spike — proof that today’s Sunday Night Football game had captured the nation’s attention.

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