Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trail Chicago Bears 14-3 Early in Second Quarter
Early in the second quarter in Chicago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trailed the Chicago Bears 14-3, according to ESPN’s game tracker. The Bears built the lead on two touchdown passes from quarterback Caleb Williams. The Buccaneers countered with a 27-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin to cut the deficit.
On the first scoring drive, Williams connected with Rome Odunze for a 9-yard touchdown during a 10-play, 53-yard series. He later hit Luther Burden III on a 56-yard touchdown on a four-play, 81-yard drive. ESPN’s play-by-play shows the Bears produced those scores before the second quarter progressed.
Through the early portion of the second quarter, Williams was 6-of-10 for 105 yards and two touchdowns. A recent play listed by ESPN was an incomplete deep pass intended for Zavion Thomas, who had one catch for 13 yards. ESPN’s game page listed Buccaneers inactives that included Yaya Diaby, who was noted with an MCL knee issue, plus Billy Schrauth, Ayden Garnes, Trevor Keegan and DeMonte Capehart.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Williams’ early efficiency and a long scoring play helped the Bears establish a two-score lead and put immediate pressure on the Buccaneers’ defense. Tampa Bay’s lone field goal provided points but indicated the offense had not yet sustained a touchdown drive in the early going. The inactive list from ESPN, including Yaya Diaby with an MCL knee issue, suggested Tampa Bay entered the period shorthanded along the front. Those factors combined to make momentum difficult for the Buccaneers to seize in the opening portion of the game.