Chicago – After a hard‑fought 27‑24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Ben Johnson stressed that the Chicago Bears did not play up to the high standards the organization sets for itself. Johnson said the win is “a win, but not the way we want to win,” and highlighted the need for better execution in future contests.
Key takeaways from the game
The Bears entered the matchup on a four‑game winning streak and a 7‑2 record, but the performance raised concerns. Five turnovers – including a career‑high four interceptions thrown by quarterback Caleb Williams – hampered the offense. The Bears also incurred 40 penalties for 361 yards during the season, with a costly holding call wiping out a 91‑yard kickoff return.
Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson summed up the sentiment: “A win’s a win, but to our standard it wasn’t exactly what we want it to be. There’s a lot of things on tape that we need to fix and clean up. Nothing that we can’t be better on next game.”
Individual performances
Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, acquired in a blockbuster trade with Tennessee, recorded a sack in each of his first two games and appears to be having a positive impact on the defense. Linebacker Devin Bush led the team with nine tackles, adding a sack to his stat line.
Cornerback Cam Lewis added a second career interception, picking off Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in the final minute of the first half. Lewis, a two‑year free‑agent signing, has become a key piece in a secondary hit hard by injuries.
Coach Johnson’s perspective
Johnson praised Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles and his defensive unit, noting that the Buccaneers presented a “very challenging” front. He said the Bears started strong, fell into a middle‑quarter slump, and finished the game with renewed effort, but emphasized that the middle stretch was not reflective of the team’s identity.
“In some ways we started the game off right and we finished it strong, but that middle second and third quarter, that wasn’t quite our style of play,” Johnson explained.
Looking ahead
The Bears will host the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 22, seeking to build on the win while correcting the mistakes highlighted against Tampa Bay. The upcoming home game offers an opportunity to demonstrate the “next evolution” Johnson described – winning not only on the scoreboard but also in the manner the team plays.
Special teams kicker Cairo Santos secured the victory with a 38‑yard field goal as time expired, marking his seventh game‑winning kick in the final two minutes or overtime, a feat that ranks third in franchise history.
Williams, who turns 25 on Nov. 18, has compiled 55 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions in 40 regular‑season games since being selected first overall in the 2024 draft. He remains a focal point of the offense, though the turnovers in this game underscore the need for better decision‑making.
There was no update on wide receiver Luther Burden, who left the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion.
Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.
