The 3-5 Bucs entered Sunday night’s primetime clash with the 6-2 Bears at a crossroads, with the direction of their season potentially hanging in the balance. Back-to-back wins over the Panthers and Falcons have given Tampa Bay a fighting chance in the NFC South, but Chicago represented a much tougher test and a chance to build some real momentum heading into the bye week. While the defense kept the Bucs in the game with five turnovers, it wasn’t enough to pull off an upset as they fell short, 27-24.

Second-Quarter Zyon McCollum

As much as Zyon McCollum wants back the first quarter of Sunday’s game, he made up for it big-time in the second quarter.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Bucs fans might have quickly remembered McCollum’s dismal primetime performance against the Rams last season; he showed his improvement and didn’t let it get to him. Caleb Williams was picked off three times in the quarter, and McCollum had two of them. He is playing at an All-Pro level and now has four interceptions over the last three games.

It was easy to worry about McCollum having a long day at the office, but his resilience and ability to bounce back as a ball hawk was one of the biggest positives to note.

RB Bucky Irving

It took a while for Bucky Irving to get going but by the end of the game, he put together a big game in his return to Chicago. Irving was active on the ground, getting 20 carries. He turned all those attempts into 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the only scores by the offense in the game.

S Tykee Smith

The Bucs needed a big defensive play with the Bears just outside of the red zone and in position to extend a 14-3 lead. Tykee Smith stepped up to make a clutch play, picking off Caleb Williams as he looked to connect with Rome Odunze. Smith jumped to record the interception on Williams and had a 23-yard return.

As alluded to above, Smith’s interception was the first of three takeaways Tampa Bay generated in the second quarter. Smith made up for a poor play himself, and the entire secondary started to rattle Williams as the game progressed. The third-year safety finished with seven tackles, adding a pass defense and tackle for loss as well.

ILB Alex Anzalone

Alex Anzalone having four interceptions halfway through the season wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card.

Heck, Anzalone probably didn’t even imagine the ball would find him as much as it has. Jacob Parrish’s tight coverage forced a deflected ball in the air, and the veteran inside linebacker was at the right place at the right time. He has now doubled his career interception total in exactly one month.

CB Jacob Parrish

Jacob Parrish continues to impress with his play. Zyon McCollum is making the big plays, while Parrish has proven to be a menace breaking up passes and playing sticky coverage. Tampa Bay doesn’t just have one cornerback playing at an elite level — they have two.

Special Teams Ace Miles Killebrew

Miles Killebrew is the gift that keeps on giving for Danny Smith’s special teams unit. Signed to be the veteran leader of the group, Killebrew has consistently made an impact and proven to be a sneaky value addition worth every penny. The longtime special teams ace blocked Tory Taylor’s punt in the third quarter, resulting in just a 24-yard kick that gave the offense the football around midfield. That’s all you can ask for from a special teamer.

Bucs Pass Rush

This was another game where the Bucs’ pass rush didn’t light up the stat sheet with sacks. They didn’t bring Caleb Williams down until late in the game but like they did with Michael Penix Jr., they forced him into making poor decisions with the football. When Williams’ time to process was rushed, he looked like a completely different quarterback and was prone to giving the ball away. That is a credit to the entire front seven.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

K Chase McLaughlin

This is my obligatory mention of Chase McLaughlin on my most impressive list. After winning NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October, I feel justified for giving McLaughlin his flowers — even for the small things. No. 4 connecting on 27-yard, 21-yard, and 35-yard field goals are positives to note.

Bucs Interior Offensive Line

Everyone around the league has buzzed about the Bears trading for Jeffery Simmons. It was a popular topic at the Bucs’ facility throughout the week, just as much as the NBC broadcast gushed about Simmons making his home debut. Tampa Bay’s interior offensive line neutralized him from completely dominating.

Center Graham Barton was one of my players to watch on the Pewter Pregame show, and he continued to show how he’s turned a corner. It is also worth noting that the guard play has improved in recent weeks, especially from right guard Cody Mauch.

OLB Rueben Bain Jr. and DB Keionte Scott

The two former Miami Hurricanes have teamed up to make impact defensive plays for a while now. The Bucs’ defense was flying around Soldier Field throughout the game, with Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott teaming up for their fifth turnover of the night. Bain made a big shot on Luther Burden III, with Scott helping knock the ball loose for Ifeatu Melifonwu to recover it. Tampa Bay’s first-round pick has played noticeably better over the past couple of games, and plays like this point to his improvement.

Special Teamer Kevin Knowles

Kevin Knowles has proven to be one of the Bucs’ core special teamers throughout the season. Knowles did his part throughout the night with solid coverage tackling. He had four tackles and has quietly had a productive year on the unit.