Bears vs. Bucs recap: Everything we know about Chicago’s Week 7 loss

For the first time this season, the Chicago Bears have lost back-to-back games following a brutal 38-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. For the second time in three seasons, the Bears are 3-4 after seven games.

This was one of the worst games the Bears played since the ‘Sunday Night Massacre’ in their 55-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers back in 2014. At least in that loss, Chicago scored two touchdowns.

Final Score: Bucs 38, Bears 3

AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio

Keys to the Game

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Justin Fields’ Turnovers: What killed the Bears today was their turnovers. Justin Fields fumbled twice, threw three interceptions, and struggled big time. The fumbles were strictly sacks and weren’t Fields’ fault. Still, it was an ugly game for him. A game he will learn from.

No Passing Attack: The Bears proved today, again, that they are a one-dimensional football team. This season, Chicago has thrown three passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. That isn’t winning football. Though this team can run the ball well, it doesn’t help when they’re down multiple possessions. The defense can only do so much.

Tom Brady Went Off: Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, went off against the Bears defense. He scored four passing touchdowns and threw for just 211 yards. You know why he passed for just 211 yards? Turnovers and defense. Tampa’s defense helped give Brady amazing field position all day.

It was over when...

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It was over when Tom Brady hit Mike Evans for a nine-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Yes, this game was over in the first quarter. It made the game out of reach.

That touchdown made the game 21-0, but even the first touchdown of the game would have been enough to win the game, as Chicago only had three-points.

Those first few touchdowns weren’t on the defense as much as it looked. Tampa Bay, at one point, had four possessions start in Bears territory. That’s hard to defend, especially against a team like the Buccaneers.

3 Stars of the Game

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***Alec Ogletree: Alec Ogletree was the only Bear to force a fumble on defense against the Buccaneers. Chicago did lose the turnover battle 5-to-1, but Ogletree did get the lone takeaway for the Bears. Ogletree had four total tackles to add to his forced fumble.

**Cairo Santos: Cairo Santos was the only player on the Bears who put up any points on Sunday. He kept his field goal streak going, making it now 35 straight field goals made. His streak dates back to Week 3 of last season, and he remains the most consistent scorer for the Bears.

*Khalil Herbert: Khalil Herbert played well on Sunday, having well over 100 yards from scrimmage, including his first 100 yard rushing game. Still, he didn’t find the end zone. But no Bears players did. Outside of Herbert, the offense didn’t do much. Herbert has played well in relief of both David Montgomery and Damien Williams, who returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list and took a backseat to Herbert.

What's next

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Next week, the Bears host the 49ers at Noon CT. Before their game on Sunday night, the 49ers are 2-3. It’s a winnable game for Chicago, but it’s going to take a lot for them to bounce back from that blowout loss in Tampa.

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