Rome Odunze put the Chicago Bears ahead 7-0 with his first touchdown reception of the season on their opening drive Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field.

Tampa Bay started at its own 40-yard line after Bears kicker Cairo Santos drew a flag for a kickoff short of the landing zone, USA Today reported. The Buccaneers punted after gaining six yards in three plays.

Chicago opened with a 10-play scoring drive. Replay overturned an apparent Odunze touchdown catch two plays before quarterback Caleb Williams connected with him on third down at the Tampa Bay 9-yard line.

Chicago was ahead 7-0 with 7:24 remaining in the first quarter. For the second consecutive week, the Bears scored a touchdown on their opening possession in a prime-time game.

The Bears came into the Week 9 matchup at 6-2, with a bye following their third straight prime-time appearance. A Chicago victory and a Minnesota Vikings loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night would lift the Bears to the NFC North lead, according to USA Today's Bears Wire.

Chicago had won three games in a row since Williams returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out for three games earlier in the season.

The Bears had defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 34-17 on Monday night in their previous game. Chicago threw for 247 yards and reached season highs for passing yards and points. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons made his Bears debut against Seattle after Chicago acquired him in a trade.

Tampa Bay came in at 3-5 after losing its first four games. USA Today described the Buccaneers' division, the NFC South, as wide open.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield had missed three games with a dislocated thumb, but the Buccaneers won both games after his return. Tampa Bay attempted 14 passes across those two victories.

In the most recent win, the Buccaneers completed no passes, a feat no winning team had achieved since 1974.

Noah Eagle replaced play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico on NBC's broadcast after a health issue kept Tirico out.

"Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight's game in Chicago due to a health issue," Tirico said in a statement released through NBC.

Cris Collinsworth joined Eagle as the color commentator, while Melissa Stark reported from the sidelines. The game was scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, with Peacock and Fubo providing streaming.

Chicago named emergency third quarterback Case Keenum among its inactive players before kickoff. Tampa Bay's list included outside linebacker Yaya Diaby.

Inactives for #TBvsCHI:

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 8, 2026

Inactives for #TBvsCHI ⬇️

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 8, 2026

The NFL trade deadline falls Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Tirico said he expected to be back the following Sunday night in Cincinnati, where the Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 15.