5 Winners and 3 Losers From a Bears Win That Left Plenty to Explain
5 Winners and 3 Losers From a Bears Win That Left Plenty to Explain
Janik Eckardt Mon, November 9, 2026 at 2:13 PM UTC
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IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Bears reached 7-2 on Sunday night, but their route there probably won’t feature in Ben Johnson’s next presentation on offensive execution.
Four interceptions, a lost fumble and several costly penalties turned a promising start against Tampa Bay into a scramble for survival. Chicago survived, winning 27-24 on Cairo Santos’ field goal as time expired.
The defense repeatedly protected the offense from its mistakes. Then, with the score tied, Caleb Williams and his receivers finally gave the kicker his opportunity. Here are five winners and three losers from a victory that supplied both encouragement and an uncomfortable amount of correction material.
Winner: Jaylon Johnson
Johnson’s 67-yard interception return supplied Chicago’s only touchdown after the first quarter. It arrived immediately after Williams’ fourth interception, when Tampa had a chance to turn a four-point deficit into a lead.
Instead, Johnson read Baker Mayfield’s throw toward Cade Otton and raced the other way, with Montez Sweat clearing the quarterback from his path. Kalif Raymond revealed afterward that Johnson had spent weeks staying late to practice catching footballs. Sunday provided a particularly useful return on that investment.
Ben Johnson awarded him the team’s only game ball.
Winner: Devin Bush
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) makes a catch past Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush (12) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
Bush finished with nine tackles and two passes defended, but his impact was clearest when Tampa needed a small amount of yardage.
He helped James Lynch stop Mayfield’s fourth-and-1 sneak, giving Chicago possession after an interception. Earlier, his penetration helped force the Buccaneers to settle for a field goal.
Ben Johnson suggested afterward that this might have been Bush’s best performance as a Bear. His speed is becoming more valuable as his understanding of the defense grows.
Winner: Jeffery Simmons
Simmons recorded another sack, but one of his most impressive contributions came well beyond his usual workplace.
The defensive tackle chased Emeka Egbuka downfield late in the first half, helping prevent a dangerous completion from becoming something worse.
That effort supports what Simmons said afterward: when opponents move the ball outside, he still expects to find ways to affect the play.
His first Soldier Field appearance offered another reminder that Chicago acquired more than an interior pass rusher.
Winner: Cairo Santos
Oct 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks an extra point against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Santos made both field goals and all three extra points. His final attempt, from 38 yards, ended the game.
A manageable distance doesn’t remove the consequences of missing. Santos handled the opportunity after an evening when Chicago had repeatedly made otherwise straightforward situations difficult.
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He credited favorable conditions, the operation around him and the offense reaching his preferred hash. Everyone involved finished the job.
Winner: Colston Loveland
Loveland found space for the 38-yard reception that put Chicago in position to win. Williams delivered, and the tight end secured the ball before getting down.
His reaction afterward was almost as encouraging as the catch. Loveland called the offensive performance a “bad display of football,” pointing directly to the five turnovers.
He made an essential play without pretending it settled everything else.
Loser: Caleb Williams
Nov 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) under center against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Williams threw two touchdown passes early and helped win the game late. Between those stretches came four interceptions.
Two occurred on attempted throwaways that remained available to defenders. Another came when he acknowledged getting greedy near the end zone.
His confidence survived, and that mattered on the final possession. The defense’s work made that opportunity possible: Tampa scored only three points from the possessions following his interceptions.
Williams deserves credit for the finish and scrutiny for why Chicago needed it.
Loser: Zavion Thomas’ offensive opportunity
Thomas’ unnecessary-roughness penalty pushed Chicago backward near the goal line. According to the official recap, he didn’t play another offensive snap.
His return ability remained evident, including a touchdown erased by a teammate’s holding penalty. That contribution deserves recognition.
But an avoidable penalty cost him offensive opportunities. Williams remains responsible for the interception that followed.
Loser: The running game
Chicago finished with 72 rushing yards. Swift managed 31 on 12 attempts, while Salvon Ahmed contributed 25 on five carries.
Tampa entered with an excellent run defense, so difficult yards were expected. Still, the Bears head into the bye with a ground attack that has struggled to reproduce its early-season output.
Getting Kyle Monangai healthy would help. The break also gives Johnson time to examine what needs fixing around him.
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Source: “AOL Sports”
