{"id":375190,"date":"2025-12-29T13:37:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T13:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/375190\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T13:37:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T13:37:10","slug":"nfl-news-bears-cj-gardner-johnson-upset-with-crucial-penalty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/375190\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL news: Bears’ CJ Gardner-Johnson upset with crucial penalty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Chicago Bears defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson complained about a penalty that was called on him in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers<\/a> on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

The Bears<\/a> and 49ers were in the midst of an intense matchup. Niners quarterback Brock Purdy took a snap from the Bears\u2019 7-yard line and threw the ball to Ricky Pearsall. Gardner-Johnson intercepted the pass in what would have been a crucial turnover.<\/p>\n

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\"CJ <\/p>\n

C.J. Gardner-Johnson #35 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Brooke Sutton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

However, Gardner-Johnson appeared to put his hands to Pearsall\u2019s face at the snap. The penalty negated the turnover and Purdy would score on a 3-yard run two plays later. The 49ers took a 28-21 lead into halftime. San Francisco went on to win the game, 42-38.<\/p>\n

“BS call smh,” he wrote on X.<\/p>\n

Gardner-Johnson finished with five tackles and a pass breakup in the loss.<\/p>\n

The Purdy rushing touchdown was one of his five on the night. He had three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.<\/p>\n

49ERS HOLD OFF BEARS TO KEEP NO. 1 SEED HOPES ALIVE AS BROCK PURDY TOTALS 5 TOUCHDOWNS IN WIN<\/a><\/p>\n

\"TJ <\/p>\n

Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) is congratulated by teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Jed Jacobsohn)<\/p>\n

The Bears became the second team in the Super Bowl era to lose a game in the regular season when they scored at least 25 points, got a defensive touchdown and didn\u2019t turn the ball over.<\/p>\n

“When you go against a dynamic offense like that, you talk about the possibilities as an offense of going tit-for-tat with them, and at times we may answer that call,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. “They just ended up making more plays than us.”<\/p>\n

Purdy threw a pick six to T.J. Edwards on the first drive of the game.<\/p>\n

Luckily, Chicago wrapped up an NFC North title on Saturday thanks to the Green Bay Packers\u2019<\/a> loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It\u2019s the first time the Bears captured a division title since 2018. Chicago will be making its first playoff appearance since 2020 when they went 8-8.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a> <\/p>\n

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The Bears haven\u2019t won a playoff game since the 2010 season.<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n

Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s\u00a0sports coverage on X<\/a> and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n