Buccaneers vs. Bears prediction, odds, betting preview, start time: Sunday Night Football picks, best bets
Quick Look
- The Chicago Bears host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football at Soldier Field, with Chicago favored by 6 points and the over/under at 47.5.
- The Bears, winners of five of their last six, seek their fourth straight primetime win since 2013 after a 34-17 road win over Seattle.
- Tampa Bay, winners of three of its last four, comes off a 16-0 win over Atlanta with zero passing completions and a franchise-record 324 rushing yards.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Chicago Bears have won five of their last six games and are attempting to win four straight primetime games for the first time since 2013. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won three of their last four games, including a 16-0 victory over Atlanta in which they recorded zero passing completions and set a franchise record with 324 rushing yards.
The Chicago Bears will try to extend their three-game winning streak when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. Chicago has won five of its last six games overall, including a 34-17 road win over defending Super Bowl champion Seattle on Monday. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has won three of its last four games and is coming off a 16-0 win over Atlanta. According to the latest Bears vs. Buccaneers odds, Chicago is favored by 6 points at home, while the over/under for total points scored is 47.5. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is priced at -159 (risk $159 to win $100) to throw 2+ touchdowns.
Kickoff for Bears vs. Buccaneers is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
Tampa Bay enters this matchup after one of the most unique results of the season, as the Buccaneers became the first team with zero completions in a game since the Bills (vs. Jets) in 1974. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw just three passes in a 16-0 win over Atlanta in a game that was played in the rain. Instead, the Buccaneers set a franchise record with 324 rushing yards.
This week, their rushing attack is facing the Bears, who just strengthened their defensive line with the acquisition of star Jeffery Simmons from the Titans. Simmons had six tackles, one sack and two tackles for a loss in a win over the Seahawks last week, which was his Chicago debut. The Bears are attempting to win four straight primetime games for the first time since 2013.
They lead the NFL in average time of possession, and they have the second-best defensive third-down percentage (23.8) by any team through eight games since 2000. Chicago is a 6-point home favorite in the Bears vs. Buccaneers odds, while the over/under is 47.5.
"The Bears are off a stunning performance in Seattle, and we have to be careful not to buy high," SportsLine expert R.J. White said. "But the lookahead for this game was also Bears -6, and I'm more a believer that the Bears are an elite team with Jeffery Simmons stabilizing the defense than I am the Buccaneers are a good team after two weird wins where they didn't have to throw the ball. The Bucs defense has been strong this season, but Chicago just carved up what might be the best defense in the league so I can't expect scoring will be impossible for the Bears. If the Bucs get behind, will we finally see something from the passing attack? I think this should be north of 7."
Open Questions
- What is the final score of the Bears vs. Buccaneers game?
- Will Baker Mayfield throw under 213.5 passing yards?
- Will Caleb Williams throw 2+ touchdowns?
