Last night’s Bears 27-24 win was the definition of a roller coaster. We started on the highest of highs, then hit the lowest of lows. Then we went up and down for four quarters. The game felt like pulling teeth. It was about as excruciating a Bears win as I can remember. But in the end, it was a win. The fact is, the Bears are 7-2 and just beat three likely playoff teams in a row, all in primetime. Heading into the bye, we’ll take that.
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 ImagesBears 24-Hour Rule
We have to start with Caleb Williams. What a WILD performance that was. His opening frame was one of the best quarters of quarterback play I’ve ever seen. Then, it all just fell apart. Zavion Thomas took the unacceptable personal foul. The Bears were backed up from the two-yard line to the 17, and Caleb tried forcing a Superman throw through double coverage. But whatever, it was one bad throw. Until it wasn’t; after that, Tampa dialed up the pressure, especially up the middle, and Caleb got uncomfortable. He was immediately trying to escape the pocket, and it seemed like his throwaway attempts were half trying to throw it away and half trying to give his guy a shot for an incredible throw. Ultimately, when it counted, Caleb Williams made the throws he needed to and moved the Bears down the field for the game-winning score. It was an ugly, ugly final three quarters for everyone involved offensively. But it’s better to learn these things in a win than in a loss. Caleb has things to clean up, Ben Johnson has things to clean up, the offensive line certainly does, and so does the run game. But we’re talking about this after a win against one of the NFL’s top defenses. So, it’s not all bad. While the Bears weren’t great, you also have to tip your cap to Tampa’s defense. The offensive line is where I want to move next. Last week I wacreditedarrett Bradbury for bouncing back after a bad start, but last night looked like a step back. It reminded me a lot of his Minnesota performance, and Tampa’s defense was similarly pressure-happy to Brian Flores’ Vikings unit. Bradbury is supposed to be the calm, veteran presence calling out protections. Where he might lack physically, he’s supposed to at least get himself in the right position to give the unit a chance. Last night, it felt like he was going the wrong way entirely too often, and pressure was coming free up the middle. I do wonder if the extra time over the bye week might be spent getting Logan Jones more looks with the ones. I’m not sure any group is more ready for a bye week than the running backs. Clearly, the group has missed Kyle Monangai. He was close to coming back this week from a toe injury, and will likely be ready to go in two weeks. D’Andre Swift has done an admirable job holding down the fort in Monangai’s absence, but clearly, he’s a bit banged up and needs some time off. The running game really needs to get back going again, and getting the stable of backs healthy will be very important. I will say, I was a bit disappointed in Ben Johnson’s willingness to commit to the run last night. It’s not that he completely abandoned it, and Tampa was loading the box a bit, but when Caleb started struggling, Johnson almost seemed insistent on letting him throw his way out of those struggles. In reality, getting the ground game going and settling things down might have been best for Caleb Williams. I don’t doubt Johnson will get the ground game back going, and we know he loves it, but I thought that was an odd approach. It was a weird night for the receivers, too. Hopefully, Luther Burden III’s concussion isn’t too bad, and the bye week should help. But he was absolutely electric in that first quarter; then we didn’t see much of him. Rome Odunze dropped a touchdown, then made up for it with a pair and some great route running, but then couldn’t haul in what should have been another on the drive that ultimately sent the Bears into a tailspin. Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images Also, while there are a lot of “teams have a blueprint to beat the Bears” narratives out there now, I disagree. Sure, the Bears struggled against heavy pressure last night and from Minnesota. But those are also two of the best defenses in football with unique personnel groups and elite play callers (Todd Bowles might not be a great head coach, but he’s a fantastic defensive mind). So sure, teams might send more pressure at Caleb Williams up the middle, but who knows if they’ll have the personnel to pull it off. Also, I just left it to Ben Johnson to figure that out. In the end, though, when the rubber met the road, the Bears put together a game-winning drive when Tampa had all the momentum in the world. The unit is still incredibly talented, and we know what they’re capable of. Sometimes you just have an off night, and those off nights can be magnified against a defense as good and as aggressive as Tampa’s. The Bears offense has a lot to look at and improve from this performance, and luckily, it’s still after a win. Last night wasn’t all bad, though. The defense was phenomenal. Jeffery Simmons was great yet again with a sack and multiple tackles. Plus, with how much he was getting doubled w,e saw Grady Jarrett, Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and even Shemar Turner stand out. Plus, Devin Bush looks like he’s been unleashed and followed up his best game as a Bear last week with a performance that was pretty darn close. The offense put the defense in several bad spots last night, and every time, just about, they answered the bell. That’s called complementary football. And now, with Jeffery Simmons, the Bears are so much better. The offense doesn’t have to score every time they take the field. In the playoffs, both sides of the ball have to be able to take over games. Last night, we saw the Bears’ defense at times. Say what you want about the Bucs passing game, but Dennis Allen’s unit limited the top rushing attack for most of last night’s game. Sure, Bucky Irving broke a few at the end, but overall that unit was very good against one of the best rushing offenses in football. The secondary got a little more banged up last night, but it could have been worse. Tyrique Stevenson left early with what looked like his lingering hand/thumb injury. Kyler Gordon left briefly but came back. Malik Muhammed was tracking to play, but then he didn’t. This unit, like the running backs, will benefit greatly from the bye week. The addition of Jeffery Simmons has helped the unit, and it allows Allen to drop a lot more into coverage. But if the Bears want to make a run, they need to get healthier. Luckily, they have some time to do that. Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) makes an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images Let’s wrap things up with a hat tip to Jaylon Johnson. He’s had a really tough go of it this year, and he still doesn’t look like himself, but the pick-six was huge. The Bears were reeling. Tampa was on the verge of coming back and taking the lead. Then Johnson steps in front of a Baker Mayfield pass and houses it. It was hard not to feel good for him there. Still don’t know what his future holds here, but hopefully he keeps getting better each week and trends toward the star corner he used to be, even if he may never be that guy again. Actual last thing, shoutout to Cairo Santos for the clutch kick. Sure, it was a short one, but it still had to be made, and everyone knows that things weren’t totally going the Bears’ way at that point. He stepped up and drilled a no-doubter. His team needed him last night, and he came through..
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