Buccaneers intercept Williams 5 times in 30-14 win over Bears

Chicago, IL - Tampa Bay's defense intercepted Caleb Williams five times, and Baker Mayfield delivered an efficient 263-yard performance as the Buccaneers defeated the Chicago Bears 30-14 in Week 9.

The Buccaneers finished with clear advantages in the passing game and overall offensive production. Tampa Bay totaled 375 offensive yards and 21 first downs, compared with 239 yards and 14 first downs for Chicago. The visitors also turned four red-zone trips into three touchdowns and a field goal.

Mayfield completed 19 of 26 passes and posted a 105.1 passer rating. His longest completion covered 50 yards, the game's longest, and Cade Otton was on the receiving end of a 50-yard gain as part of a game-high 90-yard afternoon. Otton caught four passes, while Ted Hurst III added five receptions for 78 yards.

"We were efficient and kept giving ourselves opportunities to finish possessions," Mayfield said. "There were a lot of different guys contributing, and that makes the offense harder to contain. We didn't need to force everything into one area."

Tampa Bay complemented its passing production with 132 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Bucky Irving carried 15 times for 69 yards and scored twice, while Kenny Gainwell matched him with 15 attempts, gaining 52 yards and adding another touchdown.

Gainwell's score came on an 8-yard run with 4:22 remaining in the third quarter. It was part of a workload split in which Irving and Gainwell tied for the most rushing attempts in the game.

"The carries were there for both of us, and we wanted to be dependable every time we got the ball," Gainwell said. "When two backs are getting that kind of work, you have to stay ready and make your opportunities count."

Chase McLaughlin also supplied two fourth-quarter field goals from significant distance. He connected from 46 yards with 9:17 remaining, then made a 55-yarder with 1:42 on the clock.

The most striking difference, however, was in the turnover column. Tampa Bay's defense recorded five interceptions, while Chicago finished without a takeaway. SirVocea Dennis and Jacob Parrish each contributed an interception and a pass deflection for the Buccaneers, who also registered two sacks.

Williams completed 14 of 27 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown, but his five interceptions pulled his passer rating down to 35.3. Chicago finished with only 91 team passing yards, and its longest completion covered 18 yards.

"Five interceptions are too many, and that starts with me," Williams said. "There were still some productive things in the run game, but I can't put our offense in that position. I have to be much better with the football."

The Bears found considerably more production on the ground. D'Andre Swift posted a game-high 85 rushing yards on eight carries, scored a touchdown and broke the game's longest run at 47 yards. Williams added 53 yards on three attempts as Chicago accumulated 148 rushing yards, 16 more than Tampa Bay.

That rushing output did not extend to the same overall volume Tampa Bay generated. The Buccaneers recorded 243 team passing yards and converted 5 of 11 third downs. Chicago went 3 for 9 on third down and failed on its only fourth-down attempt. The Bears reached the red zone three times and came away with two touchdowns.

The result moved Tampa Bay forward after entering the game at 4-4 and coming off a loss. Chicago, which had won its previous game, was unable to build on that result as the Buccaneers left with a 16-point victory.

Up Next

The Buccaneers will travel to face the Detroit Lions in Week 11 looking to build on the win, while the Bears return home to host the New Orleans Saints.