The Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 on Sunday night, surviving four Caleb Williams interceptions and a fourth-quarter comeback attempt to secure their seventh win of the season. Chicago built an early advantage at Soldier Field, then held on as Tampa Bay narrowed an 11-point deficit entering the final period to just three by the finish.
The Week 9 result moved the Bears to 7-2 and dropped the Buccaneers to 3-6. For the 60,470 fans in attendance, this was a reminder that a comfortable-looking lead does not always produce a comfortable finish.
Chicago's fast start makes the difference
The Bears outscored Tampa Bay 14-0 in the opening quarter, establishing the cushion that ultimately separated these teams. The Buccaneers answered with six second-quarter points, but Chicago added three of its own to take a 17-6 lead into halftime.
Both teams scored seven points in the third quarter, leaving Chicago ahead 24-13 entering the fourth. That exchange mattered: Tampa Bay was finding offense, but it still had not reduced the halftime deficit. The Buccaneers needed a substantial closing push, not simply another matching quarter.
They nearly delivered it. Tampa Bay outscored Chicago 11-3 in the fourth, turning the finish into a one-possession result. Chicago's three points in that period proved essential to the final margin. The Bears did enough to preserve the victory in regulation, even as their early advantage steadily shrank.
Key performers: Williams, Irving and Burden
Caleb Williams: 22/37, 279 YDS, 2 TD, 4 INT. Williams supplied Chicago's passing production, but his four interceptions were the clearest concern in an otherwise valuable win. Two touchdown passes helped the Bears reach 27 points; four giveaways through the air made this a much less straightforward night. His final line captured both the offensive potential and the ball-security issues Chicago must address.
Bucky Irving: 20 CAR, 97 YDS, 2 TD. Tampa Bay's rushing leader averaged 4.85 yards per carry and scored twice on the ground. Irving gave the Buccaneers substantial production as they worked back from their scoreless opening quarter. His performance was a bright spot despite the three-point defeat.
Luther Burden III: 7 REC, 97 YDS, 1 TD. Burden led the listed receiving performers, averaging nearly 14 yards per catch. His touchdown and team-leading receiving total gave Williams an important source of offense on a night when Chicago needed its productive possessions to count.
NerdSports Stat: Tampa Bay outscored Chicago 24-13 over the final three quarters, but the Bears' 14-0 first-quarter advantage still carried them to a three-point victory.
What comes next
Chicago remains well positioned for the NFC playoff race, though reducing turnovers will be a priority. Tampa Bay needs to turn competitive stretches into complete-game results to revive its postseason hopes. Both return on November 22: the Bears host New Orleans, while the Buccaneers host Detroit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago Bears defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 on November 8, 2026.
Caleb Williams threw for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns.
No. Chicago secured the 27-24 victory in regulation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers is now 3-6; Chicago Bears is 7-2.
The Bears host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM PST.
