The Chicago Bears overcame five turnovers, including a career-high four interceptions from Caleb Williams, to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 at Soldier Field and extend their winning streak to four games. Tampa Bay fell to 3-6 for the season while Chicago improved to 7-2 as Williams completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
Speaking after the game, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was himself left wondering how his team lost the game despite forcing the five turnovers, per a post on X by Logan B. Robinson.
“Good question,” he said. “We gotta capitalize on, we gotta capitalize on (them). We gotta score points if we can’t get the ball back, that would be better on third down, on both sides of the ball.”
Chicago raced to a 14-0 first-quarter lead through touchdown passes to Rome Odunze (nine yards) and Luther Burden III (56 yards), but Tampa Bay capitalized on Williams' mistakes to fight back. Williams finished 22-of-37 for 279 yards and two touchdowns, while Burden recorded seven catches for 97 yards and a score before leaving with a concussion.
The Bears' defense proved decisive, recording two interceptions and four sacks while limiting Baker Mayfield to 18-of-32 passing for 243 yards and two interceptions. Jaylon Johnson returned one of those interceptions 67 yards for a touchdown, helping Chicago maintain its advantage after Williams' fourth pick.
Bucky Irving kept Tampa Bay in contention with 97 rushing yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns, while the Buccaneers finished with 126 rushing yards compared with Chicago's 72. Tampa Bay eventually tied the game at 24 with 2:51 remaining after Irving's second touchdown and Mayfield's successful two-point conversion.
However, Williams responded with a 49-yard drive, setting up Cairo Santos' game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired.