Sunday Night Football: How to watch the Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers game tonight

The Chicago Bears control the NFC North after an incredible come-from-behind win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. The team will now head to San Francisco where they’ll face the 49ers for an NFC showdown at Levi’s Stadium. Here’s a look at the latest playoff picture for the NFC and AFC going into Week 17.

The Bears vs. 49ers Sunday Night Football game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock; here’s everything you need to know about this week’s game and the rest of the Week 17 schedule.

How to watch the Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers this Sunday:

Date: Dec. 28, 2025

Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

TV channel: NBC

Streaming: DirecTV, Peacock, YouTube TV, NFL+ and more

Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers game time:

The Bears vs. 49ers game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT this Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.

Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers game channel:

The Week 17 game between the Bears and the 49ers will air on NBC.

How to watch the Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers game without cable:

You can stream NBC on platforms like DirecTV and Peacock. (Note that Fubo and NBC are currently in the midst of a contract dispute and NBC channels are not currently available on the platform.) The game will also be streaming on Peacock and on NFL+, though with an NFL+ subscription, you’re limited to watching this week’s game on mobile devices.

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For $17 monthly you can upgrade to an ad-free subscription which includes live access to your local NBC affiliate (not just during designated sports and events) and the ability to download select titles to watch offline.

NFL Week 17 schedule:

All times Eastern.

Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025

Cowboys vs. Commanders: 1 p.m. (Netflix)
Lions vs. Vikings: 4:30 p.m. (Netflix)

Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

Ravens vs. Packers: 8:00 p.m. (Peacock)

Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025

Steelers vs. Browns: 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Patriots vs. Jets: 1:00 p.m.(FOX)
Seahawks vs. Panthers: 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Cardinals vs. Bengals: 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Jaguars vs. Colts: 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Buccaneers vs. Dolphins: 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Saints vs. Titans: 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Eagles vs. Bills: 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Giants vs. Raiders: 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Bears vs. 49ers: 8:20 p.m. (NBC)

Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

Rams vs. Falcons: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

How to watch NFL games in 2025:

Many NFL games are broadcast on local channels, so if you’re looking to catch an in-market game, it may be as simple as turning on your TV (or setting up a digital TV antenna) or finding a live TV streaming service that carries the correct RSN (Regional Sports Network). If you want to watch out-of-market games, a $7 monthly subscription to NFL+ will let you watch every out-of-market local and primetime game in the season on your phone — but only a select few regular-season games on your TV. You could also spring for the uber-expensive NFL Sunday Ticket package to get every out-of-market Sunday game of the season.

When it comes to nationally broadcast games, NFL games typically air across ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC and NFL Network. Thursday Night Football games stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, select football games will stream exclusively on Peacock, games on CBS will stream live on Paramount+, and Monday Night Football games will air on ESPN or ABC and stream on the newly revamped ESPN+ this season. That’s six channels and four streaming platforms to keep up with this season — and that’s not counting your local RSN’s for in-market games and an NFL+ or NFL Sunday Ticket subscription for out-of-market games. Plus, Netflix is once again hosting at least two Christmas Day matches, so add that subscription into the mix. And we can’t forget about Fox One, Fox’s first streaming service, a place where you can also stream games airing on FOX (if you don’t already have access to it).

Confused? You’re not alone. Here’s a breakdown of the platforms we recommend checking out ahead of the 2025 NFL season, so that come game time, tuning into your favorite team’s games will be as easy as simply turning on the TV.