The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense spent most of Sunday night doing just about everything right against a dangerous Chicago offense. It forced five turnovers, picked off Caleb Williams four times, and helped drag a game that started badly all the way back to a 24-24 tie. But when the Bears needed one last drive, Tampa Bay couldn’t finish the job, and Chicago walked away with a 27-24 win on Cairo Santos’ 38-yard field goal as time expired.
That ending stings because the night began in rough shape for Tampa Bay. Chicago scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, with Williams hitting Rome Odunze on a nine-yard touchdown and then finding Luther Burden III for a 56-yard score. Ben Johnson’s offense was rolling early, Williams was extending plays outside the pocket, and the Buccaneers were suddenly down 14-0 before the defense settled in.
Once it did, the game changed. Tykee Smith started the takeaway parade with an interception, and Zyon McCollum added two more picks of Williams.
In the third quarter, Alex Anzalone got in on the action after Jacob Parrish tipped a pass intended for Burden. Then came one of the biggest plays of the night: Rueben Bain Jr. forced a Burden fumble late in the fourth quarter, and Ifeatu Melifonwu recovered it.
What made the turnaround stand out was the opponent. Johnson’s offense is built to generate explosive plays through a lot of different weapons, but after those first two touchdown drives, Tampa Bay kept knocking Chicago off schedule.
The Bears managed only a field goal between their opening touchdowns and their final possession, and their rushing attack finished with just 72 yards. For a defense that could have easily unraveled after the early punch, Bowles’ group instead kept giving the Buccaneers chances to climb back in and helped fuel the rally that tied the game.
Still, the last series is the one that will linger. With the score tied and Chicago needing points, Williams hit Colston Loveland for a 38-yard gain that immediately put the Bears in field-goal range. Santos finished the job from 38 yards out, and Tampa Bay’s night ended with the one thing it couldn’t afford: a missed final stop.
The takeaway for Bowles is clear. His defense showed it can create chaos and shut down an offense for long stretches. It also showed that closing the door matters just as much as opening it.
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One name that naturally fits the conversation is George Pickens, whose talent has been on display in Dallas and whose contract situation makes him a possible trade candidate. The Buccaneers have not been linked to any official talks, but the fit is obvious enough to keep circling back to: a receiver with the ability to change coverage and give Tampa Bay a more dangerous passing game. Whether the front office is willing to pay the price is another question, and one that could define how aggressive this team wants to be about saving its season. [Read more 🡒]
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The problem was the offense never fully cashed in on those chances, and the missed opportunities proved costly in a 27-24 loss to the Bears. Baker Mayfield's night turned on two interceptions, including a pick-six, while Bucky Irving was the one consistent bright spot with 125 total yards and two touchdowns, leaving Tampa Bay with plenty to clean up after letting a golden opening slip away. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Face A Big Bucky Irving Decision After The Bye
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After the bye, though, the conversation shifts from usage to preservation. Todd Bowles has already acknowledged concern about Irvings workload, and Tampa Bay has some flexibility with other backs who have chipped in recently. The question now is how the Buccaneers balance keeping their best runner involved with making sure hes still fresh and available when the season tightens up. [Read more 🡒]