Tampa Bay has run for 1,349 yards and Chicago for 1,206. They are the two most productive ground games in the NFL, and our Buccaneers vs Bears prediction puts them on Sunday night.
The Chicago Bears hold opponents to 23.8% on third down, the best rate in the league by a distance. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rate 72.6 through the air, the lowest figure in football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay BuccaneersWin prob34%
Chicago BearsWin prob66%Squawka Signal is our model’s read, updated after every result — not betting advice. How the NFL Signal works. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON). Full T&Cs & geo-restrictions apply: bet365.
Buccaneers vs Bears: our editor’s props
Two calls from our editor, to read next to Signal’s live numbers.
AT 
Our props
An editorial call, not a Signal model output. 19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC). Please play responsibly.
Buccaneers vs Bears: 2026 form so far
The two busiest ground games in the league meet the best third-down defence in it. The table weighs what each team produces against what the other keeps giving up.
Buccaneers attack against the Bears defence
| Per game | Buccaneers offence | Bears allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 131.4 | 219.0 |
| Rushing yards | 168.6 | 86.8 |
| Yards per carry | 5.1 | 4.4 |
| Passer rating | 72.6 | 98.5 |
| Touchdowns | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Third-down conversion | 38.4% | 23.8% |
| Red-zone conversion | 50.0% | 57.1% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 2.9 | 2.8 |
Bears attack against the Buccaneers defence
| Per game | Bears offence | Buccaneers allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 236.5 | 205.9 |
| Rushing yards | 150.8 | 80.0 |
| Yards per carry | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| Passer rating | 92.3 | 74.9 |
| Touchdowns | 3.1 | 1.9 |
| Third-down conversion | 44.3% | 32.0% |
| Red-zone conversion | 58.8% | 50.0% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 2.4 | 2.0 |
Chicago allows a conversion on 23.8% of third downs. No other team is below 29%.
Buccaneers vs Bears quarterback matchup
Caleb Williams has six touchdown passes to one interception at 104.6 from five starts. Tampa Bay rates 72.6 as a team, the lowest in the NFL.
| Team | Quarterback | Last game | Season to date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | Baker Mayfield | 0/3, 0 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT, 39.6 rtg | 68/110, 679 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT, 80.8 rtg (5 games) |
| Bears | Caleb Williams | 22/33, 308 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 116.7 rtg | 112/158, 1267 yds, 6 TD, 1 INT, 104.6 rtg (5 games) |
Buccaneers vs Bears injury report and team news
Tampa Bay has run for 1,349 yards, more than any team in the NFL.
Chicago holds opponents to 23.8% on third down, the best rate in the league.
Tampa Bay rates 72.6 through the air, the lowest team passer rating in football.
Tampa Bay BuccaneersChicago BearsTwo run games and the league’s best third-down defence
Tampa Bay has 1,349 rushing yards at 5.07 a carry and Chicago 1,206. First and second in the NFL, meeting in prime time.
The Bears’ third-down defence settles it. Opponents convert 23.8%, and nobody else in the league is under 29%.
Tampa Bay has no alternative route: 1,051 passing yards is the lowest total in football, and 23 sacks conceded goes a long way to explaining it.
Players to watch
- Caleb Williams (CHI, QB): 1,267 yards and six scores at a 104.6 rating.
- D’Andre Swift (CHI, RB): 1,206 on the ground at 4.29 a carry.
- Bucky Irving (TB, RB): Leads the most productive ground game going.
- Chris Godwin Jr. (TB, WR): A senior target in an attack rating 72.6 through the air.
How to watch Buccaneers vs Bears in Canada
Kickoff is 8:20 PM ET on Sunday, November 8 at Soldier Field in Chicago. TSN carries it nationally, because every primetime window in Canada sits with TSN, and RDS has the French-language broadcast. DAZN carries every game of the season in Canada through NFL Game Pass. Squawka may earn a commission if you subscribe through that link.
| Detail | Buccaneers vs Bears |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, November 8, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:20 PM ET / 7:20 PM CT / 5:20 PM PT |
| Venue | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| TV | TSN (English) / RDS (French) |
| Live stream | DAZN (NFL Game Pass) |
| Week | Week 9, 2026 NFL season |
Buccaneers vs Bears prediction and score projection
Our Buccaneers vs Bears prediction is Chicago by 27-20. The Buccaneers will run the ball, but a team rating 72.6 through the air cannot chase a deficit against this defence.
Signal’s live probability for this game updates through to kickoff.
Every Week 9 game, previewed
| Kickoff (ET) | Game | Our prediction | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 9:15 PM | Jaguars @ Ravens | Jaguars 27-20 | Read |
| Sun 10:30 AM | Bengals @ Falcons | Bengals 27-17 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Browns @ Saints | Saints 20-17 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Cowboys @ Colts | Cowboys 26-20 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Broncos @ Panthers | Broncos 26-16 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Lions @ Dolphins | Lions 30-17 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Rams @ Commanders | Rams 27-17 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Giants @ Eagles | Giants 20-17 | Read |
| Sun 2:00 PM | Jets @ Chiefs | Chiefs 30-13 | Read |
| Sun 5:05 PM | Texans @ Chargers | Texans 23-17 | Read |
| Sun 5:25 PM | Cardinals @ Seahawks | Seahawks 30-16 | Read |
| Sun 5:25 PM | Packers @ Patriots | Patriots 24-20 | Read |
| Sun 5:25 PM | Raiders @ 49ers | 49ers 30-17 | Read |
| Sun 9:20 PM | Buccaneers @ Bears | Bears 27-20 | You are here |
| Mon 9:15 PM | Bills @ Vikings | Bills 27-24 | Read |
Our NFL hub carries the full card, and Signal rates every Week 9 game on the same model. This is an NFC game, so the NFC Championship odds are the ones it moves. The AFC Championship odds are on the same page.
Buccaneers vs Bears FAQ
Chicago. Our Signal model has the Bears favoured and the live number is in the Signal card on this page. Chicago is 5-2 at +37; Tampa Bay is 3-5.
8:20 PM ET on Sunday, November 8, which is 7:20 PM CT and 5:20 PM PT, at Soldier Field.
TSN carries every primetime window nationally, with RDS on the French-language broadcast. DAZN carries every game of the season in Canada through NFL Game Pass.
Tampa Bay, with 1,349 rushing yards — more than any team in the NFL.
19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC) | Please play responsibly | ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON) | Signal probabilities approximate at time of writing and subject to change