Bears Beat Buccaneers 27-24 on Cairo Santos’ Last-Second Field Goal/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Caleb Williams connected with Colston Loveland for 38 yards to set up Cairo Santos’ winning field goal as Chicago beat Tampa Bay 27-24 Sunday night. The Bears overcame five turnovers, including a career-high four interceptions by Williams, to improve to 7-2. Bucky Irving scored twice for the Buccaneers, who tied the game late before Chicago’s decisive drive.
Quick Look
- Winning kick: Santos made a 38-yard field goal as time expired.
- Decisive reception: Loveland’s 38-yard catch moved Chicago into scoring position.
- Williams’ uneven night: He threw for 279 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
- Bears keep winning: Chicago earned its fourth consecutive victory despite five turnovers.
- Defensive touchdown: Jaylon Johnson returned an interception 67 yards for a score.
- Tampa Bay comeback: Irving’s second touchdown and Baker Mayfield’s conversion tied the game with 2:51 remaining.
- Injury concern: Bears receiver Luther Burden left with a concussion after recording 97 receiving yards.
- Upcoming schedule: Both teams have a bye before returning Nov. 22.
Deep Look
Santos Delivers After Williams Finds Loveland
CHICAGO — Caleb Williams overcame a career-high four interceptions to produce the completion Chicago needed most, setting up Cairo Santos’ last-second field goal in a 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday night.
Facing second-and-9 from Chicago’s 46 in the final minute, Williams found a wide-open Colston Loveland for a 38-yard gain. The tight end caught the pass near the Tampa Bay 35 and ran down the sideline before being forced out at the 16.
Two kneel-downs positioned Santos for a 38-yard kick, which he converted as time expired in front of 60,470 fans.
The Bears improved to 7-2 with their fourth straight victory. Tampa Bay fell to 3-6.
Chicago Survives Five Turnovers
Williams completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns, but his four interceptions helped keep Tampa Bay in contention.
Chicago also lost a fumble, making this its first victory with at least five turnovers since beating Minnesota 23-13 on Dec. 3, 2006.
“I don’t get gun shy. That’s not me. That’s not my identity,” Williams said. “And with that, I’m going to keep ripping it and keep ripping it.”
Bears coach Ben Johnson acknowledged the uneven performance while crediting his team’s resilience.
“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 the season. So we’ll continue to build that as we go forward.”
Irving and Mayfield Pull Buccaneers Even
Chicago led 24-16 when receiver Luther Burden fumbled after a helmet-to-helmet hit by Tampa Bay rookie Rueben Bain Jr.
Ifeatu Melifonwu recovered and returned the ball to the Bears’ 17-yard line.
Bucky Irving followed an 11-yard run with a 6-yard touchdownhis second score of the game. Baker Mayfield then scrambled for the 2-point conversion, tying the score at 24 with 2:51 left.
Irving finished with 97 yards on 20 carries. Mayfield completed 18 of 32 passes for 243 yards and two interceptions.
Jaylon Johnson’s Pick-6 Changes the Game
A third-quarter exchange of interceptions proved pivotal.
With Chicago leading 17-13, Williams threw a deflected pass that Tampa Bay linebacker Alex Anzalone intercepted, giving the Buccaneers possession at the Bears’ 37.
On the next play, Mayfield targeted tight end Cade Otton. Jaylon Johnson stepped in front of the pass and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.
It was Johnson’s first interception of the season and second career interception return for a score.
“That obviously was the difference in the game,” Mayfield said.
“Defense, after they settled in, played amazing. So, you got to make the throws, you got to be more accurate.”
Bears Build Early Lead Before Tampa Bay Responds
Chicago scored touchdowns on its first two possessions.
Williams opened with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Rome Odunze. Burden then turned a third-and-8 reception into a 56-yard score, breaking tackles to give the Bears a 14-0 lead with six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
But interceptions ended Chicago’s next two possessions, allowing Tampa Bay to work back into the game.
Chase McLaughlin kicked a 21-yard field goal as the first half ended. Early in the third quarter, Tez Johnson’s 58-yard reception helped set up Irving’s 2-yard touchdown run.
“They came out real hot, and I thought we were on our heels a little bit,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said.
“Then the younger guys settled down a little bit and we started playing football.”
Leading Rushing Attacks Find Limited Space
The teams entered the weekend as the NFL’s top rushing offenses, but neither dominated on the ground.
Tampa Bay finished with 126 rushing yards, while Chicago managed 72.
The Buccaneers had rushed for a franchise-record 324 yards in their previous game, a 16-0 victory over Atlanta in wet conditions. Irving accounted for 170 yards in that win, during which Mayfield did not complete a pass.
For Chicago, Jeffery Simmons recorded a sack in his first home appearance since arriving in a trade with Tennessee.
Injuries and Upcoming Games
Burden finished with seven catches for 97 yards before leaving with a concussion. Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson sustained a thumb injury.
Tampa Bay safety Antoine Winfield Jr. departed in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
Both teams now enter their bye week. The Buccaneers visit Detroit on Nov. 22, while the Bears host New Orleans that day.
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