Football

By Dan Stantinano

Senior NFL Analyst, Fourth-and-Aggregate Sports [December 29th, 2025]

Santa Clara. The cold air bites, but it’s the heat of the battle that keeps you warm.

HUH-HUH! If you tuned in for this one, you probably found yourself standing up in the last few minutes, shouting at the screen. This game had it all: big hits, big plays, and plenty of moments where the game was decided by the trenches. San Francisco got the win in a 42-38 thriller over the Bears, but let’s just say this one wasn’t decided until the very last seconds. If you like football that’s won on the line of scrimmage, this game did not disappoint.

I made a prediction before the game: one-score, with the game ultimately coming down to the trenches and execution under pressure. Well, guess what? I wasn’t far off. There was plenty of tension down the stretch, and the 49ers had to dig deep to hold off a Bears team that really gave them everything they could handle.

The Trenches: Where It Was Won and Lost

I’ve said it a million times—football is won in the trenches. I wasn’t lying, was I? I predicted this game would be decided in the trenches, and if there was one thing that stood out, it was how much the offensive lines were able to control things, for better or worse.

Let’s start with San Francisco. In my preview, I talked about Trent Williams—the guy’s a 12-time Pro Bowler, and when he went down early in the first quarter, it was a gut punch. But Austen Pleasants—who had bounced around a bit before landing with the 49ers in 2024—stepped in and did an admirable job. Now, don’t get me wrong, Pleasants wasn’t Trent Williams (who is?), but he held his own after Williams’ injury. It wasn’t perfect, but he kept Brock Purdy from getting sacked and gave Purdy a pocket to work with. That’s what you want from a backup when the lights are that bright.

On the other side, the Bears’ offensive line, led by Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman, was solid all game long. It wasn’t just about their ability to protect Caleb Williams—it was their ability to create running lanes when it mattered. I know I hyped up the Bears’ interior line in my preview, and they didn’t disappoint. Thuney was a rock, and Dalman was always in control. That’s the kind of leadership you want from your veterans, and it paid off, especially when Caleb Williams had the time to diagnose the 49ers’ blitzes.

Speaking of Caleb Williams, the kid’s got ice in his veins. He didn’t panic when the pressure came. Sure, there were a few moments when the 49ers’ defense dialed up some good looks, but Williams knew exactly when to throw the ball away and when to exploit the blitz. Purdy wasn’t sacked either, and that wasn’t just a credit to the 49ers’ offensive line. It was because Purdy moved well and knew how to stay ahead of the game. It’s a similar story for Williams, whose quick decisions allowed the Bears to stay competitive despite San Francisco’s attempts to pressure him.

Ben Johnson, the Bears’ head coach, had some praise for Williams’ composure after the game:

"Caleb showed maturity out there. He’s one of the best at diagnosing defenses, and he did it all night—especially when we were facing some heat."

Defensive Adjustments and the 49ers' Key Stops

As much as this game was about offensive line play, there were some defensive moments that shaped the final outcome. Robert Saleh, back for his second stint as 49ers’ defensive coordinator, knew this would be a game where his defense had to find a way to win—even with injuries to key players. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner were both out for the season, but the 49ers found a way to make it work.

Saleh’s game plan was to get creative with his remaining weapons and use the 49ers’ defensive front to generate pressure from unconventional angles. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t always work, but in the end, they managed to keep Williams from completely taking over. There were some key pass breakups down the stretch and a few timely stops in the red zone that proved crucial.

Late in the game, with the Bears pushing to tie it up, the 49ers defense showed up when it had to, even without its stars. It wasn’t the most dominant performance you’d expect from a unit like this, but it was enough.

Saleh after the game:

"We bent but didn’t break. With the injuries we’ve had, we’re proud of how these guys stepped up. We got the stops when we needed them."

That Final Drive: A Game of Inches

As the Bears marched down the field in the final minutes, I couldn’t help but feel like San Francisco was holding its breath. I mean, this was a gut-wrenching finish. If the Bears had converted on a few more of those critical 3rd-and-7s, they might’ve had the chance to win it. But despite the Bears’ resilience, the 49ers defense managed to close the door just enough to hold on.

The final series was dramatic, no doubt. Caleb Williams tried to force the issue with a few shots, but the 49ers secondary, led by Deommodore Lenoir, kept the Bear out of the endzone when it mattered most. With the Bears down by just four, every throw had the weight of the world behind it. In the end, the Bears missed enough plays and the 49ers made enough key plays to preserve the win.

Looking Ahead: The NFC West and the Number One Seed on the Line

And now, with this win under their belt, the 49ers have set the stage for what’s going to be one heck of a Saturday night showdown. San Francisco faces off against Seattle in a game that’s not just for the NFC West title, but for the number one seed in the NFC. The game will be played at 5:00 PM PT, and you can bet that both teams will be firing on all cylinders.

If you thought this game against the Bears was intense, just wait. Seattle and San Francisco are two teams that live in the trenches, and that’s where I expect this one to be decided. It’s going to be another grown-man game—and this time, the stakes don’t get much higher.

HUH-HUH! Let’s see who comes out on top.

About Dan Stantinano

Dan Stantinano is a former NFL offensive lineman who built his career on toughness, preparation, and an unhealthy appreciation for good guard play. After hanging up his cleats, Dan spent a brief but eye-opening stint as a talent scout with the San Diego Chargers, where he learned that football decisions are rarely as simple as a stopwatch or a spreadsheet.

Now a senior NFL analyst for Fourth-and-Aggregate Sports, Dan specializes in trench play, game flow, and the hidden moments that decide games long before the final score. Known for his gravelly enthusiasm, blunt honesty, and signature “HUH-HUH!”, he’s a favorite among fans who believe football is won by the big fellas and explained best by someone who’s been in the pile.

When Dan says, “That’s grown-man football,” he means it.