Bears Beat Bucs 27-24 Despite Four Interceptions
Chicago's defense and a late field goal secured a win as Caleb Williams posted a career-high number of picks.
By Samir Doyle ·
The Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 on Sunday.
The victory improved the Bears' record to 7-2 before their bye week.
Caleb Williams threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.
He also threw four interceptions, a career-high number for the quarterback.
The offense struggled to move the ball during the second half.
The defense stepped up to keep the team in the game.
Jaylon Johnson returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.
Jeffery Simmons recorded his first sack as a Bear.
The defensive line recorded four total sacks in the win.
The Bears started strong with two touchdowns in the first quarter.
Rome Odunze caught a pass to score the first touchdown.
Luther Burden evaded multiple defenders on a 56-yard reception for the second score put Chicago up 14-0 after one quarter. The lead shrank as Tampa Bay responded. Zavion Thomas was flagged for unnecessary roughness late in the second quarter. Williams then threw an interception on a deep pass to Odunze. The Buccaneers turned the ball over on downs. Williams threw another interception on the next play. This was the first game since Week 3 of the 2024 season where he was picked off twice in a regular season contest. The Bears kicked a field goal to lead 17-3. Cam Lewis intercepted Tom Mayfield. Williams threw his third interception of the half. Tampa Bay kicked a field goal to make the score 17-6 at halftime. The second half began with a Tez Johnson reception that set up a scoring chance. The play injured Kyler Gordon, who left the game holding his arm. Bucky Irving scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 17-13. The teams exchanged unsuccessful drives for much of the third quarter. Mayfield took several hits on the field. Williams threw a fourth interception. Johnson's pick-six gave Chicago a 24-13 lead. Chase McLaughlin kicked a field goal to make it 24-16 with 11 minutes left. The Bears forced a punt with five minutes remaining after back-to-back sacks. Luther Burden fumbled a screen pass back to Tampa Bay. Irving scored his second rushing touchdown of the game. Mayfield ran in the two-point conversion to tie the score with 2:51 remaining. Colston Loveland caught a long pass with 50 seconds left. The play moved the ball into field goal range. Cairo Santos kicked a 38-yard field goal to win the game.
