Bears Grind Out Tough Win Over Buccaneers in Season Opener

TAMPA, FL — The Chicago Bears opened their season with a gritty 17-11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. For the Bears, this victory was especially sweet, marking their first Week 1 win in recent memory after enduring a tough previous season that didn’t see their first victory until Week 10.

Game Recap

The Buccaneers got on the board first with a 24-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin late in the first quarter, giving Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. Chicago answered in the second quarter as Cairo Santos nailed a 27-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3, setting up what would become a defensive slugfest.

The Bears took control in the third quarter behind a spectacular 18-yard touchdown run from D’Andre Swift, who powered through Tampa Bay’s defense. Santos converted the extra point to push Chicago ahead 10-3. “It’s what I’m here to do — make plays,” Swift said. “Our line created the holes, and I just did the rest.”

In the fourth quarter, Chicago extended their lead with a brilliant 29-yard touchdown strike from Caleb Williams to rookie wideout Rome Odunze, who showcased his playmaking ability. Tampa Bay fought back late when Baker Mayfield scrambled out of the pocket from the 14-yard line and was hit at the 1-yard line by linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, forcing a fumble. The ball bounced into the end zone, where Hunter Renfrow recovered it for a touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion from Chris Godwin. However, Chicago’s defense held strong in the final minutes to secure the 17-11 victory.

Key Stats

Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams was efficient, completing 18 of 25 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. D’Andre Swift was the workhorse of the day, rushing for 125 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, averaging an impressive 6.0 yards per attempt. Rookie receiver Rome Odunze stood out with five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown, showing why he’s a key part of the Bears’ future.

For Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield threw for 138 yards on 16 completions but failed to find the end zone. He added 40 rushing yards to lead the Buccaneers’ ground game, while Chris Godwin led all Tampa Bay receivers with 54 yards on five catches.

Defensively, the Bears got a sack from Andrew Billings and a key interception from Jaquan Brisker. For Tampa Bay, Calijah Kancey tallied 1.5 sacks, disrupting Chicago’s offensive rhythm at times.

Injuries

The Bears suffered two significant injuries during the game. D’Andre Swift left the game with a dislocated elbow, and left tackle Braxton Jones sustained a torn labrum. Both are expected to miss four weeks. “We’re going to feel their absence, but it’s next man up,” said Bears coach Mark Miller.

Up Next

The Bears (1-0) will return to Soldier Field next week for their home opener against the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers (0-1) will hit the road to face the Miami Dolphins in a pivotal Week 2 matchup.

This win was a promising start for a Bears team determined to turn things around after last season’s struggles. “Starting the season with a win feels great,” Caleb Williams said. “We’ve got a lot to prove, but we’re ready for the challenge.” For the Buccaneers, the focus is on regrouping. “We’ll learn from this one,” said Baker Mayfield. “We’re just getting started.”