Buccaneers vs Bears predictions, graded
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears · Week 9, 2026 · Sun, Nov 8 · Final: Buccaneers 24, Bears 27 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Buccaneers vs Bears? Of 21 pundits with a call on record, 17 take the Bears and 4 take the Buccaneers. 10 named a score; the median has the Bears by 4. The Bears won 27-24, so 17 of 21 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 81 out of 100.
Who the room took
21 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callBuccaneers vs Bears picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- CBS Sportsall 7 Bears
- First Things First (podcast)Buccaneers 2, Bears 1
- Chris Simms Unbuttoned (podcast)all 2 Bears
- Football 301 with Nate Tice (podcast)all 2 Bears
- Pardon My Take (podcast)Bears 1, Buccaneers 1
- Sports IllustratedBears 1, Buccaneers 1
The other 3 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 3 Bears.
Buccaneers vs Bears score predictions
10 pundits named a score; the median call is Bears by 4, and the final was Bears by 3.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Pete PriscoBears 24, Buccaneers 21Hit · 100
- Bryan DeArdoBears 20, Buccaneers 16Hit · 98
- Chris SimmsBears 24, Buccaneers 20Hit · 98
- Zac CorneliusBuccaneers 24, Bears 12Miss · 29
- Big CatBears 26, Buccaneers 23Hit · 100
- Tyler SullivanBears 28, Buccaneers 20Hit · 88
- Jordan DajaniBears 30, Buccaneers 20Hit · 83
- Jared DubinBears 21, Buccaneers 17Hit · 98
- Richard ShermanBears 30, Buccaneers 17Close · 76
- John BreechBears 23, Buccaneers 20Hit · 100
Buccaneers at Bears: how they came in
The Buccaneers are 3-5 and have won 2 straight; the Bears are 6-2 and have won 3 straight. On win totals, 10 pundits put the Buccaneers at 8.5 wins on average, and 18 pundits put the Bears at 9.6 wins on average.
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Record coming in
- 3-5 · won 2 straight · 178 scored, 151 allowed
- Last games
- W 16-0 vs Falcons Week 8
- W 43-13 at Panthers Week 7
- L 19-26 vs Steelers Week 6
- Unit ranks
- offense 22nd, defense 6th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 8-9
- Win-total calls
- 10 pundits · average 8.5 · 2 to 12 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 3 of 7 Buccaneers games
- Record coming in
- 6-2 · won 3 straight · 214 scored, 160 allowed
- Last games
- W 34-17 at Seahawks Week 8
- W 30-24 vs Patriots Week 7
- W 31-23 at Falcons Week 6
- Unit ranks
- offense 8th, defense 14th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 11-6
- Win-total calls
- 18 pundits · average 9.6 · 3 to 12 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 4 of 8 Bears games
Buccaneers and Bears players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (50 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Buccaneers
- Baker MayfieldStarting QB · QB
922 passing yards · 3 TD, 4 INT · 60.6% completions · 6 games · 32nd in the NFL in passing yards
Baker Mayfield to outplay his draft cost (a QB2)
“Mayfield does not have elite rushing upside, but he is a standout pick as a QB2 when you pair everything together.” the article →
Baker Mayfield to finish top 17 at his position, by passing yards
“Because you can't tell me that Baker Mayfield is not a top fifteen sixteen seventeen quarterback.” the article →
- Bucky IrvingRB1 · RB
825 rushing yards on 167 carries · 8 TD · 22 catches for 106 · 9 games · 4th in the NFL in rushing yards
Bucky Irving to be 1st on the depth chart
“A lot of people are convinced Irving will be a committee back this season. ... Irving still averaged 20.3 touches per game. That's workhorse usage by modern standards.” the article →
Bucky Irving to fall short of his draft cost (RB22, Overall RK57 | ECR vs. ADP: -13)
“Irving could be a nice bounce-back candidate in 2026 or a massive disappointment that loses work to Gainwell and Tucker all year. I'll buy the dip if he slips in some drafts, but I won't go out of my way to draft him this season.” the article →
- Emeka EgbukaWR1 · WR
31 catches for 278 yards · 2 TD · 7 games · 80th in the NFL in receiving yards
Emeka Egbuka to be 1st on the depth chart
“He's going to be the alpha receiver in Tampa” the article →
Emeka Egbuka to be 1st on the depth chart
“Egbuka can establish himself as the team's clear WR1 and return WR1/2 production.” the article →
- Cade OttonTE1 · TE
23 catches for 211 yards · 0 TD · 8 games · 118th in the NFL in receiving yards
- David WalkerSack leader · LB
4 sacks · 15 solo tackles · 8 games · 29th in the NFL in sacks
- Josiah TrotterTackle leader · LB
1 sack · 36 solo tackles · 1 interception · 8 games · 13th in the NFL in solo tackles
Bears
- Caleb WilliamsStarting QB · QB
1,546 passing yards · 8 TD, 5 INT · 68.7% completions · 145 rushing yards · 6 games · 22nd in the NFL in passing yards
“But Williams is expected back for the Bears' Week 6 game against the Falcons, who have been playing well after an 0-2 start.” the article →
“I'm expecting Caleb Williams to return this week (hamstring). He opened this week with a full practice.” the article →
- D'Andre SwiftRB1 · RB
576 rushing yards on 155 carries · 10 TD · 24 catches for 162 · 9 games · 14th in the NFL in rushing yards
D'Andre Swift to be 1st on the depth chart
“Swift is still the lead back. Like, unquestionable.” the article →
D'Andre Swift to outplay his draft cost (the RB2/dead-zone range)
“If looking at veteran backs currently going in the RB2/dead-zone range, Breece Hall and D'Andre Swift are the guys with a viable pass-catching resume to this point.” the article →
- Luther Burden IIIWR1 · WR
49 catches for 644 yards · 4 TD · 9 games · 13th in the NFL in receiving yards
Luther Burden III to be 1st on the depth chart
“there's a legit chance that Luther Burton becomes the number one early next season” the article →
Luther Burden III to record 1,057 receiving yards
“projecting he will catch 73 passes for 1,057 yards and six touchdowns in 2026” the article →
- Colston LovelandTE1 · TE
37 catches for 363 yards · 2 TD · 9 games · 45th in the NFL in receiving yards
Colston Loveland to outplay his draft cost (the consensus TE3 for 2026 fantasy drafts)
“Here are four tight ends Pat Fitzmaurice loves to target in 2026 fantasy football drafts. ... Loveland is the consensus TE3 for 2026 fantasy drafts behind only Brock Bowers and Trey McBride.” the article →
Colston Loveland to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“Loveland could easily pick up right where he left off this season and compete with Brock Bowers and Trey McBride for the TE1 crown.” the article →
- Jeffery SimmonsSack leader · DT
6 sacks · 26 solo tackles · 9 games · 10th in the NFL in sacks
Jeffery Simmons to make All-Pro
“Those might be the two all pro tackles this year.” the article →
Jeffery Simmons to make All-Pro
“who's coming off an all-pro season in 25, who, if he stays healthy, is a lock to be an all-pro again” the article →
- Dillon ThienemanTackle leader · S
1.5 sacks · 30 solo tackles · 1 interception · 9 games · 46th in the NFL in solo tackles
Every call on Buccaneers at Bears
1–23 of 23
Chicago Bears 24 — Bucs 21
Pick: Bears 24, Bucs 21
Chicago Bears 20 — Buccaneers 16
I'm picking the Bears in a game that will likely come down to defense and Caleb Williams making a few key completions down the stretch. Score: Bears 20, Buccaneers 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Chicago
And now they're going to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... And Baker Mayfield is the type of quarterback that the bigger the chip, the bigger the challenge, the bigger he plays... could be problematic.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Chicago Bears
I'm going with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers... Will the Bucks slow down Caleb and the Bears? I will say yes.
Chicago Bears to beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I expect them to beat Tampa... So I expect them to win at home at night in Jeff Simmons' first game in Chicago.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to beat Chicago Bears
"I think this Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense and [head coach] Todd Bowles will serve Caleb Williams and this Chicago Bears offense a little slice of humble pie" ... "so I'm picking Tampa Bay for the upset." (Week 9)
Chicago Bears 24 — Bucks 20
I'm going bears win, but twenty four twenty, I think this is gonna be a fun game to watch.
Chicago Bears to beat Bucks
My second point and why I'm taking the Bears to win and cover, the prime time Bears right now.
Chicago Bears to beat Tampa
Yeah, I mean, I think I like the Bears big in this game, but if you told me this game gets weird, I could see– it's going to be fascinating.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 — Bears 12
I was gonna go twenty four twelve. Okay. Bucks. Yeah. Wow. 12.
Chicago Bears to beat Bucks
But I think the bears are gonna win. I think the bears are really fucking good.
Chicago Bears 26 — Bucks 23
What do you think you, score projection? Twenty six twenty three.
Chicago Bears to beat Bucks
I think I trust the Bucks' offense the least of the three here... So, yeah, I'll take the bears here.
Chicago Bears to beat Bucks
Also taking the bears... there are ways to attack this bears defense. I... The Bucks have not shown this season that they can attack that way.
Chicago Bears 28 — Buccaneers 20
Tyler Sullivan — Bears (-6.5) 28-20 over Buccaneers.
Chicago Bears 21 — Buccaneers 17
I'm still taking Chicago to win this game … Prediction: Bears 21, Buccaneers 17
Chicago Bears 30 — Buccaneers 20
I'm backing the Bears. … Prediction: Bears 30, Buccaneers 20
Chicago Bears 30 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
Give me the Chicago Bears in this one. 30 to 17.
Chicago Bears 24 — Bucs 21
Pick: Bears 24, Bucs 21
Chicago Bears to beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chicago will be favored in its next two games at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Chicago Bears 23 — Buccaneers 20
PICK : Bears 23-20 over Buccaneers
Chicago Bears to beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bears face the Buccaneers two days before the NFL trade deadline... That could be an 0-3 stretch right before the trade deadline
Chicago Bears to beat Bucs
Bucs at Bears. Baker, they're a good team... I think the Bears win that game.