The Chicago Bears snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat in a 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, overcoming a myriad of mistakes to improve to 7-2 heading into their bye week.
The Bears jumped out to a commandeering 14-0 lead on their opening two possessions, where they looked primed to replicate their dominance from Week 1. But things quickly fell apart on their third series after a dropped touchdown by wide receiver Rome Odunze and costly penalty on rookie Zavion Thomas that was followed up by the first of four interceptions by quarterback Caleb Williams in the game.
Advertisement
Still, the Bears were able to pull out their fourth consecutive win thanks to their defense, which totaled four sacks and two interceptions, including a pivotal pick-six by cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the fourth quarter, and Cairo Santos booted the game-winning field goal as time expired.
1 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

1 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

2 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

3 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

4 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (13) returns a kick off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

5 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled short of the first down by the Chicago Bears defense in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

6 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond (14) fumbles a punt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

7 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) rushes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

8 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) rushes the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker al-Quadin Muhammad (97) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

9 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

10 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

11 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) reacts after a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

12 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) reacts after a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

13 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Daniel Hardy (92) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

14 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Daniel Hardy (92) reacts after a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

15 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

16 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) reacts after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

17 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) react after the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

18 / 43
The Morning After…the Bears’ ugly Week 9 win vs. Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) reacts after making the game winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

19 / 43
Bears made the wrong kind of history in 5-turnover win vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

20 / 43
8 takeaways from the Bears’ stressful win over the Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) reacts after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

21 / 43
8 takeaways from the Bears’ stressful win over the Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

22 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

23 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) points after kicking the game winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

24 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

25 / 43
8 takeaways from the Bears’ stressful win over the Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (13) reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

26 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reacts after making a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

27 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

28 / 43
Bears PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 9 win vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

29 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) makes a catch Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

30 / 43
Bears QB Caleb Williams explains what went wrong with 4 INTS vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

31 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) makes a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

32 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush (12) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) at Soldier Field. in the first half. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

33 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (13) draws a penalty on Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

34 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

35 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

36 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reacts after making a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

37 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a PAT against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

38 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) react after a defensive stop against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

39 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

40 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) reacts with quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

41 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) attempts to make a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

42 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reacts after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

43 / 43
Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (14) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. After the game, Johnson shared his message to his team after Sunday night’s sloppy win and the direction the Bears are headed.
“It’s hard to win with five turnovers, and yet we found a way to do it,” Johnson said. “They know that we didn’t play as well as we’re capable of playing. But I believe the best is yet to come in terms of our football in the back half of this season. We’ll continue to build that as we go forward. They needsome rest right now. That’s what they need. They need to get away from these coaches. We’ll clean up some things over the next couple of days and get them free from us for a little bit.”
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better moment for a Bears team that needs to get healthy and has some things to clean up heading into a difficult second-half of the season, most notably penalties and the run game, which hasn’t been the same since Kyle Monangai’s injury a month ago.
Advertisement
But the fact that Chicago was able to win a game after their worst offensive showing in the Ben Johnson era — with five turnovers — shows that the Bears are a bigger threat as a contender given their ability to win in myriad of ways. Now, it’s about stringing it all together and making a push for the playoffs.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebookand Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Ben Johnson shares his message to the Bears after sloppy win vs. Bucs

