Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: What Chicago’s 27–24 Win Revealed | November 9, 2026

Information checked: Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5:14 a.m. London time (Greenwich Mean Time, UTC+00:00).

The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers met in a Week 9 game that paired Chicago’s more productive offense with Tampa Bay’s takeaway-heavy defense and a surging ground game. Chicago won 27–24 at Soldier Field on Cairo Santos’ 38-yard field goal as time expired, despite giving the ball away five times. The finish showed why the Bears entered as the stronger all-around team, while also revealing how dangerous the Buccaneers could be when their defense created extra possessions.

The game kicked off Sunday, November 8, at 7:20 p.m. in Chicago, Central Standard Time (UTC−06:00). That was Monday, November 9, at 1:20 a.m. UTC and in London, Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+00:00). The Bears’ official game guide listed Soldier Field as the venue and confirmed the Chicago kickoff time.

Highlights

• Chicago beat Tampa Bay 27–24 after Santos made a 38-yard walk-off field goal.
• The Bears led 14–0 in the first quarter and 17–6 at halftime, then held on after Tampa tied the score late.
• Caleb Williams threw four interceptions, and Chicago lost a fumble, but the Buccaneers could not convert every takeaway into points.
• Before kickoff, Chicago ranked higher in both scoring and total offense; Tampa had the better interception and turnover-differential numbers.

How did the Bears and Buccaneers compare before kickoff?

The NFL’s regular-season snapshot before the game pointed to a clear difference in offensive production. Chicago entered at 6–2, averaging 26.8 points and 387.5 yards per game. Tampa Bay was 3–5, averaging 22.2 points and 299.5 yards. The NFL game center ranked the Bears eighth in scoring and third in yards, compared with 19th and 25th for the Buccaneers.

That contrast shaped the matchup. Chicago’s offense had produced more consistently, with quarterback Caleb Williams distributing the ball to targets such as Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Colston Loveland. Tampa’s defense arrived with the league’s top interception total, while the Buccaneers’ recent rushing output had helped take pressure off quarterback Baker Mayfield. The numbers suggested Chicago had the broader offensive ceiling, but Tampa had a credible path to an upset: force mistakes, shorten the game, and lean on its ground attack.

What decided Bears vs. Buccaneers?

The opening quarter favored Chicago. Williams connected with Odunze for a touchdown and then found Burden on a short throw that became a 56-yard score. Tampa answered with field goals, and the Bears went into halftime up 17–6. Williams’ four interceptions kept the Buccaneers in the contest, however, and Chicago’s late lost fumble gave Tampa another chance.

The Buccaneers turned that fumble into a Bucky Irving touchdown. Mayfield’s two-point conversion tied the game at 24. Chicago then used its final possession to move into range: a third-down completion to Kalif Raymond kept the drive alive, and Williams hit Loveland for 38 yards. Santos finished it with the game-winning kick. CBS Sports’ game report and play-by-play recorded the five Chicago turnovers, the late Tampa rally, and the walk-off sequence.

The result was not a clean offensive win for Chicago. It was a test of composure after repeated mistakes. Tampa’s defense did the part that best matched its pregame profile, but the offense did not turn enough of those takeaways into a lead. Chicago, meanwhile, produced the decisive drive when the game was level. That late execution, plus the Bears’ scoring burst early, made the difference.

What does the result mean for each team?

The win moved Chicago to 7–2 and extended its winning streak to four games. Tampa fell to 3–6. Those records put the teams on different tracks entering the next part of the season: the Bears strengthened their position in the NFC North, while the Buccaneers need to turn defensive stops into more sustained offense if they want to climb in the NFC South.

The franchises also have a long shared history. They were NFC Central division opponents from 1977 through 2001; after the 2002 realignment, Chicago became part of the NFC North and Tampa Bay the NFC South. The Buccaneers’ matchup history notes that separation. The 2026 result adds another close chapter, but the bigger takeaway is about the teams today: Chicago’s offense has been more productive over the season, while Tampa’s takeaway strength can make any game volatile.

FAQ

Who won the Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game?

The Bears won 27–24 at Soldier Field on a 38-yard field goal by Cairo Santos as time expired.

Why did Chicago win despite five turnovers?

The Bears scored early, avoided letting Tampa turn every takeaway into points, and produced a final scoring drive after the Buccaneers tied the game at 24.

Which team had the stronger offense before the game?

Chicago had the stronger statistical profile entering Week 9, averaging more points and yards per game than Tampa Bay.