Game story
In Week 16 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-12-23, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 14–9 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
N. Mullens (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with -3.47 total EPA, and -2.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Trubisky (Chicago Bears) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.20 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-23.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (7:43) (Shotgun) 4-N.Mullens pass short left intended for 11-M.Goodwin INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Trevathan at CHI 14. 59-D.Trevathan to CHI 14 for no gain (11-M.Goodwin).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Trubisky · Chicago Bears · Passing · +7.20 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 2 A. Miller · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +4.40 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
- 3 J. Howard · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +3.56 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 4 K. Bourne · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.03 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
- 5 G. Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
- 6 T. Taylor · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.70 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
- 7 A.Robinson II · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.44 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 8 T. Mizzell · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.43 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.71 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Trubisky — CHI · Passing
M. Trubisky posted the highest total EPA (+7.20) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Chicago Bears's efficiency. Across 35 counted snaps, they averaged +0.21 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.67 EPA) came from Chicago Bears: (8:58) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky FUMBLES (Aborted) at CHI 30, RECOVERED by SF-99-D.Buckner at CHI 26. Backward pass to T.Cohen The Replay Official reviewed the loose ball recovery ruling, and the play was Upheld. The rulin
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Chicago Bears — A. Miller (M. Trubisky pass)
- Chicago Bears — J. Howard
Field goals
- San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould
- San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould
- San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 9–7. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the CHI 15 (Q2 40:58) — (10:58) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-C.Holba, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the CHI 12 (Q2 35:52) — (5:52) 9-R.Gould 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-C.Holba, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the SF 4 (Q2 31:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short left to 17-A.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 0. 0-YAC; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 31:52) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the CHI 5 (Q2 30:05) — (:05) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-C.Holba, Holder-5-B.Pinion..
The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the SF 2 (Q3 19:17) — (4:17) 24-J.Howard up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q3 19:14) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 4-N.Mullens pass short left intended for 11-M.Goodwin INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Trevathan at CHI 14. 59-D.Trevathan to CHI 14 for no gain (11-M.Goodwin).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 8:27) — (8:27) (Shotgun) 4-N.Mullens pass deep middle to 84-K.Bourne to CHI 20 for 22 yards (38-A.Amos). Caught at CHI 25. 5-YAC
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 1:14) — (1:14) (Shotgun) 4-N.Mullens pass incomplete deep right to 11-M.Goodwin.
- Chicago Bears (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short left to 12-A.Robinson II to SF 34 for 10 yards (33-T.Moore). FUMBLES (33-T.Moore), RECOVERED by SF-26-G.Mabin at SF 22. 26-G.Mabin to SF 24 for 2 yards (80-T.
- Chicago Bears (Q2 38:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky FUMBLES (Aborted) at CHI 30, RECOVERED by SF-99-D.Buckner at CHI 26. Backward pass to T.Cohen The Replay Official reviewed the loose ball recovery ruling, and the play w
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Chicago Bears (Q2 38:58) — (8:58) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky FUMBLES (Aborted) at CHI 30, RECOVERED by SF-99-D.Buckner at CHI 26. Backward pass to T.Cohen The Replay Official reviewed the loose ball recovery ruling, and the play w
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 7:43) — (7:43) (Shotgun) 4-N.Mullens pass short left intended for 11-M.Goodwin INTERCEPTED by 59-D.Trevathan at CHI 14. 59-D.Trevathan to CHI 14 for no gain (11-M.Goodwin).
- Chicago Bears (Q1 50:53) — (5:53) 1-C.Parkey 37 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 8:27) — (8:27) (Shotgun) 4-N.Mullens pass deep middle to 84-K.Bourne to CHI 20 for 22 yards (38-A.Amos). Caught at CHI 25. 5-YAC
Quarterback report card
N.Mullens led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- N.Mullens (San Francisco 49ers) · 40 dropbacks · 55.0% completion · -2.7% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -3.47 total EPA
- M.Trubisky (Chicago Bears) · 35 dropbacks · 71.4% completion · +17.0% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +7.20 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Chicago Bears | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.012 | -0.111 |
| Offensive success rate | 50.7% | 42.0% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.206 | -0.087 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.069 | -0.210 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.111 | +0.012 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.0% | 49.3% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Chicago Bears generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Chicago Bears: 9 drives, -0.92 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 9 drives, -7.63 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Chicago Bears leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- M. Trubisky (Chicago Bears) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Trubisky (CHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 40:58 · CHI 15 · Score 0-3
(10:58) 9-R.Gould 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-C.Holba, Holder-5-B.Pinion. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 35:52 · CHI 12 · Score 0-6
(5:52) 9-R.Gould 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-C.Holba, Holder-5-B.Pinion. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 31:56 · SF 4 · Score 6-6
(1:56) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky pass short left to 17-A.Miller for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at SF 0. 0-YAC - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 31:52 · SF 15 · Score 7-6
1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:05 · CHI 5 · Score 7-9
(:05) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-C.Holba, Holder-5-B.Pinion. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 19:17 · SF 2 · Score 13-9
(4:17) 24-J.Howard up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 19:14 · SF 15 · Score 14-9
1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers?
The Chicago Bears beat the San Francisco 49ers 14-9 in Week 16, 2018 on 2018-12-23.
What was the final score of Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers?
The final score was Chicago Bears 14, San Francisco 49ers 9 (CHI 14-9 SF) in Week 16, 2018 on 2018-12-23.
What was the score by quarter in Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers?
Q2: Chicago Bears 7, San Francisco 49ers 9; Q3: Chicago Bears 7, San Francisco 49ers 0; Final: Chicago Bears 14, San Francisco 49ers 9.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers?
Chicago Bears touchdown — A. Miller (M. Trubisky pass) (Q2 31:56) Chicago Bears touchdown — J. Howard (Q3 19:17) San Francisco 49ers field goal — R. Gould (Q2 40:58, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — R. Gould (Q2 35:52, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — R. Gould (Q2 30:05, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers?
N. Mullens (San Francisco 49ers), 55.0% completion, -2.7% CPOE, -0.09 EPA per dropback, -3.47 total passing EPA. M. Trubisky (Chicago Bears), 71.4% completion, +17.0% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +7.20 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers?
M. Trubisky (Chicago Bears) led the game in total EPA with +7.20 on passing plays. across 35 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.67 EPA): (8:58) (Shotgun) 10-M.Trubisky FUMBLES (Aborted) at CHI 30, RECOVERED by SF-99-D.Buckner at CHI 26. Backward pass to T.Cohen The Replay Official reviewed the loose ball recovery ru. The biggest win-probability swing was -23.2%.
Was Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Chicago Bears won 14-9 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Chicago Bears
Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 4-10 Now 4-11 L
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