Narrow loss ends winning stretch
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 27-24 to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 9, dropping to 3-6 in the 2026 season. The loss ended a two-game winning stretch and left Tampa Bay with a losing record despite outscoring opponents by 24 points overall. The Buccaneers have scored 202 points and allowed 178. Their past four games illustrate that contrast: two decisive wins surrounded by losses decided by seven points or fewer.
Big wins, close defeats
Tampa Bay lost 26-19 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6 before beating the Carolina Panthers 43-13 on the road and shutting out the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 at home. Those consecutive victories produced a combined 46-point margin. The three-point defeat in Chicago halted that momentum, leaving the Buccaneers 2-2 over their past four games.
Irving sets the fantasy pace
Bucky Irving leads Tampa Bay with 159.1 PPR points for the season and delivered another strong fantasy week with 28.5 points in Week 9. He comfortably topped the team’s weekly production, with fellow running back Kenny Gainwell next at 10.6. Chase McLaughlin ranks second among Tampa Bay’s season fantasy leaders with 99.0 points, followed by Emeka Egbuka at 78.0, Gainwell at 63.6 and Chris Godwin Jr. at 57.9. McLaughlin added 10.0 points in Week 9, while Tez Johnson scored 9.6 and the Tampa Bay defense contributed 9.0. Irving remains the clear leader in the Buccaneers’ fantasy output, both across the season and in their latest game.