The Chicago Bears pulled out an incredibly difficult 27-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. It was their third straight game on prime time, and they found a way to win a narrow match against a feisty team trying to get back in the race.
This was an incredibly sloppy game. After holding a 14-0 and 17-3 lead early, things fell apart. All of a sudden, the elite Tampa Bay defense started to show itself. Chicago’s offense stalled at times, but a win is a win.
There was a clear turning point in the game, and that was a lame penalty taken by Zavion Thomas in the first quarter. The Bears were trying to go up 21-3 with great momentum, and Thomas took a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty in the end zone. Shortly after, Caleb Williams
snapped a 144-yard pass streak without an interception. From there, the Buccaneers started to get into the game.
For a while, that play, along with a few others, was going to highlight a much more negative lowlight of plays. Instead, the five most important plays listed below contributed to a sloppy win, not a tragic loss.
1. Rome Odunze's touchdown from Caleb Williams
Now THAT'S a TD 🤩
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/6BhWekf9H1
The Bears first found the endzone on their opening possession when Caleb Williams hit Rome Odunze for a nine-yard touchdown. From there, Chicago controlled the score. Getting on the board first is important in the NFL, and the Bears scored early in this one.
2. Luther Burden's incredible touchdown run
Oh my Luther 🤯
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/vLG3nAgpzW
It turned out to be incredibly important for the Bears to not only take the lead, but build on it. As you know, the Buccaneers made it a game in the end. If Chicago didn't get out in front by multiple scores in the first quarter, they likely would not have won the game. Luther Burden made a fantastic play after receiving a pass from Caleb Williams to eventually find the end zone after a long run.
3. Jaylon Johnson's pick-six
JAYLON JOHNSON HOUSE CALL ☎️
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/FVkfIjPwvQ
Jaylon Johnson has had a tough year. Well, he had his first bit of redemption when he intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass and ran it back for a touchdown. This came when the Buccaneers were closing in on taking the lead. When the Bears needed their defense the most, it was there for them.
4. Caleb Williams hits Colston Loveland to get in field goal range
Caleb to Colston. Big gain. 💪
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/5kQOveTpTI
Eventually, the Bucs did tie it up, much to the dismay of the Bears. However, Caleb Williams and the offense put aside the bad game that they had and found a way when things mattered most. When Caleb Williams hit Colston Loveland for this gain, they were in a position to win the game.
5. Cairo Santos' game-winning field goal from 38 yards
@cairosantos19 calls game 🙌
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2026
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/nQMjZ8B4c6
Cairo Santos is money from within 50 yards. When the Bears offense set him up for a 38-yard game-winner, they knew that overtime would not be needed. Chicago has been great this year, which has allowed them to not be the "Cardiac Bears" again, but they needed a bit of magic here to win this one. Everyone in the league needs a game winning drive here and there.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 most important plays from Bears' Week 9 win over Buccaneers
