Bears Favored by 6.5 Points as Bucs Rush Attack Meets New Defender
Chicago hosts Tampa Bay in a Sunday night matchup defined by a dominant ground game from the visitors and a reinforced defensive line for the hosts.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
The Chicago Bears are projected to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 6.5 points in Sunday night's game at Soldier Field. The total points line for the contest is set at 47.5. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on November 9, 2026.
Chicago enters the game following a 34-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. That win extended the Bears' recent winning streak to three games. Over their last six contests, the Bears have secured five victories. The Buccaneers have won three of their last four games, including a 16-0 shutout of the Atlanta Falcons in the previous week.
The most recent Tampa Bay game featured a rare offensive approach. The Buccaneers recorded zero completions, a feat not achieved by an NFL team since the Buffalo Bills played the New York Jets in 1974. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw only three passes during that rain-soaked game. In his place, the team generated a franchise record of 324 rushing yards.
The Bears have strengthened their front seven for this matchup. They acquired defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. Simmons made his Chicago debut against Seattle, recording six tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss. The acquisition aims to stabilize the unit that allows opponents to reach the third down in just 23.8 percent of attempts, the second-best rate in the league since 2000.
Chicago also leads the NFL in average time of possession. The team is attempting to win four consecutive primetime games for the first time since 2013. SportsLine expert R.J. White favors the Bears to cover the 6.5-point spread at odds of -112.
White noted that the Bears are an elite squad with Simmons anchoring the defense. He expressed doubt that the Buccaneers, who have relied heavily on the ground game in their last two wins, can stop Chicago from scoring. White suggested the Bears could outscore the spread, potentially exceeding seven points.
Mayfield is still managing a dislocated thumb that caused him to miss several games earlier in the season. Since returning, he has completed 14 passes for 64 yards in two consecutive wins. Those figures represent the fewest passing yards by a starting quarterback in back-to-back victories since 1974.
The Buccaneers will play without wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who is sidelined with a knee sprain. SportsLine's computer model projects Mayfield to complete 18 of 28 passes for 191 yards. This projection falls well below the 213.5 passing yard line, which is listed at -111 odds.
