flag
back Voltar
Bears survive Buccaneers in chaotic primetime finish after Caleb Williams throws four interceptions

A 38-yard strike to Colston Loveland set up the walk-off field goal after Williams rallied with 2:51 left

It was a win for the Bears, but turning the ball over five times is a brutal pill to swallow.

In an MVP-or-bust season for Caleb Williams, Sunday night delivered pure whiplash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — called by emergency replacement Noah Eagle after Mike Tirico was sidelined by an undisclosed health issue.

Conventional wisdom says coughing up five turnovers gets you beat every single time, but Chicago found a way to grind out a 27-24 victory. Williams' first career four-interception game nearly doomed Chicago. But even in a messy performance, Caleb proved he can survive three quarters of disastrous football and still win.

Bucky Irving #7 celebrates with Kenny Gainwell #1 and Kameron Johnson #19 after a touchdown.
Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kenny Gainwell #1 and Kameron Johnson #19 after his rushing touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at Soldier Field on Nov. 8, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

After the Bears built an early 14-0 lead, the offense stalled, opening the door for Tampa Bay to pull even.

Just when a flat-footed Chicago squad looked completely stalled out late in the third quarter, cornerback Jaylon Johnson made Baker Mayfield pay for his recklessness, baiting the quarterback into a crushing 67-yard pick-six that kept momentum swinging like a pendulum.

Yet when everything threatened to collapse after a late Tampa Bay surge, Williams rallied.

Baker Mayfield scrambles against Grady Jarrett during an NFL game at Soldier Field.
Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrambles against Grady Jarrett of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field on Nov. 8, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

With 2:51 left and the game knotted at 24, he put together an eight-play, 49-yard drive — highlighted by a 38-yard strike to Colston Loveland — to set up Cairo Santos for the walk-off 38-yard field goal.

Afterward, Williams was entirely unmoved by the turnover-heavy night.

"I'm going to throw until I can't throw anymore," Williams said on the postgame podium. He wrapped up his night with 279 yards, two touchdown passes and four picks.

Caleb Williams #18 looks to make a pass during the first quarter at Soldier Field.
Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears looks to make a pass during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 8, 2026. (Getty Images)

For Tampa Bay, Mayfield choked away the defense's impressive outing. Sacked four times with zero touchdowns, his 243-yard meltdown proved Tampa Bay's QB1 experiment is running on fumes. With an upcoming bye week, the 7-2 Bears get two full weeks to let this five-turnover scare fade into the rearview mirror.

Caleb Williams, No. 18, looks to pass during the third quarter at Soldier Field.
Caleb Williams, No. 18 of the Chicago Bears, looks to pass during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on Nov. 8, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela

You may like

Bears' Rome Odunze catches touchdown for 7-0 lead over Buccaneers

inquisitr.com 5 horas atrás

WATCH: Bears CB Jaylon Johnson gets pick-six on Mayfield on SNF

aol.com 3 horas atrás

Kyler Gordon Injury Update: Latest News on Bears DB's Status in Week 9 Game

si.com 3 horas atrás

NFC South standings: Are Panthers still in 1st place after Week 9 loss to Broncos?

aol.com 2 horas atrás

WATCH: Bucs tie game with Irving TD, Mayfield two-point conversion

aol.com 2 horas atrás

Cubs Can Solve Their Biggest Problem By Calling the Rays About Drew Rasmussen

si.com 8 horas atrás

NFL Week 9 Defining Stats: Packers Duo Dominates; Welcome Back Myles Garrett

foxsports.com 2 horas atrás

Biggest Offseason Needs For All 30 MLB Teams

foxsports.com 13 horas atrás