Bears defeat Buccaneers 27-24 after Caleb Williams throws career-high four interceptions

The Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-24 on Sunday at Soldier Field. The victory improved the Bears to 7-2 and sent them into their bye week. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw four interceptions, a career high for the 2026 season. Despite the passing errors, the Bears' defense and special teams produced plays that decided the close contest.

Williams finished the game with 279 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Bears scored early and often in the first quarter. Rome Odunze caught a touchdown pass on the opening drive. On the next possession, Luther Burden caught a 56-yard touchdown pass. Burden evaded several defenders to cross the goal line. Chicago led 14-0 after the first quarter.

The Bears' lead began to shrink in the second quarter. Rookie receiver Zavion Thomas was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Williams then threw an interception on a deep pass to Odunze. Tampa Bay regained possession but turned the ball over on downs. Williams threw a second interception after attempting to throw the ball out of bounds. It was the first time since the 2024 season that a Bears quarterback was intercepted twice in a single regular season game.

Chicago kicked a field goal to take a 17-3 lead. Cam Lewis intercepted a pass from Baker Mayfield late in the first half. Williams threw a third interception on the ensuing drive. Tampa Bay kicked a field goal to end the half. The score stood 17-6 in favor of Chicago at the break.

Tampa Bay cut the deficit to 17-13 early in the third quarter. Bucky Irving rushed for a touchdown. Kyler Gordon left the game holding his arm after being hit on a reception by Tez Johnson. The Bears' defense forced a punt late in the third quarter. Jeffery Simmons recorded his first sack as a member of the Bears during that defensive stop.

Jaylon Johnson intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. The pick-six extended the Bears' lead to 24-13. Tampa Bay kicked a field goal to make the score 24-16 with 11:24 remaining. Austin Booker was flagged for a facemask on a Tampa Bay drive. The Bears forced another punt with five minutes left in the game.

Luther Burden fumbled a third-down screen pass late in the fourth quarter. Tampa Bay scored on a rushing touchdown by Bucky Irving. Baker Mayfield completed a two-point conversion to tie the game at 24 with 2:51 remaining. The Bears needed a final score to win the game.

Colston Loveland caught a 38-yard pass from Caleb Williams with 50 seconds remaining. The play moved the ball into field goal range. Tampa Bay had only one timeout left. Cairo Santos kicked a 38-yard field goal to give the Bears a 27-24 victory.