Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24 on Sunday Night Football, and the Chicago Bears found a way to win a game they spent most of the night trying to lose. At Soldier Field on November 8, Cairo Santos kicked the game-winning field goal to settle a wild 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, even though quarterback Caleb Williams threw four interceptions in what was called his worst game.
It was the kind of win that tells you more about a team than a comfortable blowout ever could. The Bears kept handing Tampa Bay chances, and Tampa Bay kept handing them back. In the end, Chicago’s defence and its kicker covered for a quarterback having a nightmare, and the Bears went into their bye week at 7-2.
Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24: how Sunday night was won
The Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24 after a fourth quarter that swung back and forth. Santos kicked the winner, his seventh game-winner in the final two minutes or overtime, the third-most in Bears history. Robbie Gould and Kevin Butler lead the way with 10 each, and Santos is now closing in on two of the most respected names in franchise history.
Tampa Bay had its own chances to steal it. Bucky Irving ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns for the Buccaneers, and for long stretches the visitors looked like the better side. But the Bears kept finding answers, and the final one belonged to Santos.
Caleb Williams’ worst game — and a win anyway
Caleb Williams completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in what was called his worst game. The numbers tell the story plainly: the yardage and the touchdowns were there, but the four picks kept putting the defence back on the field with a short field to defend.
What matters for the Bears is that Williams did not let it spiral. He kept throwing, he kept the offence moving between the mistakes, and he was still on the field driving for the winning kick at the end. Young quarterbacks are often judged by their bad days as much as their good ones, and this one ended in a win.
The Bears have now won games in different ways this season — with their quarterback, without much from him, and with their defence. That variety is what turns a good start into a real season, and it is why a 7-2 record means more than the number alone.
Santos joins Bears history
Santos’s seventh game-winner in the final two minutes or overtime puts him third on the Bears’ all-time list, behind Gould and Butler on 10 each. Kickers rarely get the same attention as quarterbacks, but inside the building they know what a reliable kicker is worth over a season.
Chicago has been lucky with kickers across its history, and Santos is adding to that tradition. His kick on Sunday night was not the longest of his career, but it was the one the Bears needed most, and he struck it cleanly with the game on the line.
For a team heading into a bye at 7-2, having a kicker you trust changes how a coach calls the final minutes. The Bears can play for the field goal rather than forcing a touchdown, and that patience showed in the way the final drive was managed.
Defence delivers the turning point
Jaylon Johnson’s pick-six off Baker Mayfield turned the game, and it was the single biggest play of the night. Johnson read the throw, took it back for a touchdown, and swung the momentum at a moment when Tampa Bay looked ready to take control.
Jeffery Simmons had 3 solo tackles and 1 sack, and Devin Bush finished with 9 total tackles, as the Bears’ defence kept making stops when it had to in the Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24 win. The unit spent much of the night cleaning up after turnovers, and it held Tampa Bay to 24 points despite the short fields it kept facing.
Rome Odunze paid tribute to injured teammate Cole Kmet, a touch that showed where the team’s head is at. The Bears are winning games for each other right now, and that kind of spirit is hard to measure but easy to spot on nights like this one.
What 7-2 means for the Bears
The Bears are 7-2 going into the bye, with about an 88-89.6% playoff chance, according to The Athletic simulator and ESPN FPI. Those numbers put Chicago firmly in the playoff picture, and the bye comes at a good time, with a chance to rest, heal and reset before the run-in.
After the Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24, the next game is against the Saints on November 22, and it will be a test of whether the Bears can keep this going after a week off. A win there would keep them at the front of the NFC North race, and the schedule after the bye will decide how far this team can really go.
For now, the Bears can enjoy a win that had everything: a quarterback’s worst night, a defence that refused to break, a kicker who delivered again, and a record that keeps getting better. The Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24, and they did it the hard way.
Sources and Resources
Read the original reporting from Bleacher Nation: Bears notes, November 9, 2026 – Bleacher Nation
Read more on World Reach Daily: World Reach Daily
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Bears vs Buccaneers?
The Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24 on Sunday Night Football, November 8 at Soldier Field. Cairo Santos kicked the game-winning field goal.
How bad was Caleb Williams’ game?
Williams completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in what was called his worst game. The Bears still won, thanks to their defence and Santos.
How many game-winners does Cairo Santos have now?
Seven in the final two minutes or overtime, the third-most in Bears history. Robbie Gould and Kevin Butler lead with 10 each.
What was the turning point?
Jaylon Johnson’s pick-six off Baker Mayfield turned the game. Jeffery Simmons added 3 solo tackles and 1 sack, and Devin Bush made 9 total tackles.
Who do the Bears play next?
The Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24 and are 7-2 going into the bye, with about an 88-89.6% playoff chance. Their next game is against the Saints on November 22.
Conclusion
The Bears beat Buccaneers 27-24 in a game that showed both sides of this Chicago team: a quarterback having his worst night, and a team good enough to win anyway. Santos delivered again, Johnson’s pick-six turned the game, and the defence held firm after every turnover. At 7-2 heading into the bye, with a playoff chance near 90%, the Bears have earned their rest — and the Saints are next on November 22.