The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in a Week 9 matchup featuring two teams trending in opposite directions.
The Buccaneers (4-4) are coming off a 16-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons in which they did not complete a single pass, relying on a dominant defense that allows the third-fewest yards per game (285.9) and leads the league against the run. Receiver Emeka Egbuka (foot) is active.
The Bears (5-3) arrive after a statement victory over the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, bolstered by the addition of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons via trade. Chicago's defense, now with a high-octane interior presence, has fueled Super Bowl contention talk. Quarterback Caleb Williams is playing his best football, and the offense features a strong running game led by D'Andre Swift.
Prediction markets give the Bears a 72% win probability (price $0.72) compared to 29% for the Buccaneers ($0.29). The spread favors Chicago by more than 6.5 points (Yes $0.48, No $0.53). The over/under for total points is 47.5 (Over $0.51, Under $0.50).
The Buccaneers' pass rush has surrendered 23 sacks, tied for second most in the NFL, which could be exploited by Simmons and the Bears' defensive front. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's run defense ranks first in the league, setting up a clash of strengths.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a 60-51 record on top-rated picks since 2024, simulates a Bears win at a 67% rate. Kickoff is set for Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium.
