Bears vs. Buccaneers: Game Picks and Predictions

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 17: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts to tackle Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images Sunday night at Soldier Field closes out a three-game prime-time stretch for a 6-2 Bears team that just beat the defending Super Bowl champions in Seattle. Chicago’s high-powered offense and top-tier rushing attack host a 3-5 Buccaneers squad that has won two straight (despite not completing a single pass in their last game) and boasts the NFL’s top ground game led by Bucky Irving. The Bears are favored by about six points, but Tampa Bay’s physical run defense and Baker Mayfield’s ability to keep games close make this a real test before the bye. Several prominent national analysts have pointed to this game as a trap/upset in the making. What follows are our score pick, winner, and projected stat lines for a Sunday Night Football matchup that could push Chicago deeper into the NFC race.Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Soldier Field.Kickoff: 7:20 p.m. CT (8:20 p.m. ET)TV: NBCStreaming: Peacock and NFL+ (Chicago area)Radio: ESPN Chicago (1000 AM / 100.3 FM HD2) and LATINO MIX 93.5 FM (Spanish)National broadcast team is Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), and Melissa Stark (sideline). Local Bears radio is Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Jason McKie.Our Game Scores and PredictionsJosh: I think the Bucs get their yards in the air this game, with Chicago’s depleted secondary giving up a pair of scores and the run game getting them into field goal range. By contrast, I think Chicago’s offense doesn’t miss a beat and they hang a pair through the air and a pair on the ground with a Santos field goal to round it out. 31-17 Bears.Jeff Berckes: There’s something about what this Bears team is building, where we’re at on the schedule, and the narrative that feels like there’s an outburst coming. Bucs defense is good, I’m not discounting that – I just think the offensive operation is getting to a level of inevitability. Defense, empowered by the Jeffery Simmons move, want to show out at home. Bears 41 – Bucs 13.Sam: I’m no longer scared of good defenses. But that doesn’t make this game a walk in the park. The Bears are due for a letdown. It’s a tough spot — three straight primetime games and the bye week looming. I think the Bucs’ defense keeps them in the game, but Chicago still gets theirs and Rome Odunze breaks through for a touchdown. The defense is stymied by a good Bucs OL and the run defense struggles. I just can’t trust Baker to suddenly wake up the passing game, but I can’t rule it out. His thumb has to be healing. Bears still have enough to get it done, but the Bucs cover. Bears 28, Bucs 23Mongo Peanut: With Tristan Wirfs looking uncertain (he’ll play, but he had a DNP and a limited at practice this week with a toe injury), I think the Bears’ new look line piles up the sacks on Baker. The Bears offense keeps humming and wins 37-14.Gary: Bears feed off an energized crowd in Jeffery Simmons’ first home game as a Bear; offense continues to do what it’s been doing, and that is being dominant. Bucs will get a score before halftime, as per tradition, to make it close at the half, but in the second half the Bears pull away.34-20 Bears.GOOCH: I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m offended by how many national talking heads are calling this a trap game and suggesting the Bucs defense is going to put Caleb in his place. This Bears team is for real, but so many seem to want to pick it apart, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Well, I’m predicting a signature game for Caleb: 350 yards passing, three touchdown passes, one touchdown run. Rome goes off for 125 yards and a score, Loveland and Burden add their own. Swift puts up over 100 yards on the ground and adds another score. Bears limit the Bucs’ rushing attack to its lowest output of the season, and Baker is on the run the whole game. Booker, Sweat, and Simmons all score sacks. Thineman and Malik add interceptions. Final score: 42-3. Take that, national talking heads.Now it’s your turn. Give us your picks and predictions for the game.