The Bucs played a complete game to end their home-win drought and grab their fourth of the season, dominating the Bears 36-10 on Sunday to advance to 4-5.
Offensively, Tampa Bay gained 392 yards, while the defensive line was relentless in pressuring Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler, who finished 14 of 28 for 147 yards and two picks. Capitalizing on the D-Line’s performance, the secondary intercepted two passes to go along with two sack-fumbles, the second of which counted for a safety.
Even the special teams got involved, as gunner Josh Robinson made two key stops, one on a kickoff in the second quarter and the other to down Chicago on the 2-yard line after a punt. Here’s the list of the Most Impressive players, according to PewterReport.com, Sunday.
QB JAMEIS WINSTON
Winston’s third-and-10 scramble-turned-39-yard completion to Mike Evans in the third quarter was only a highlight in an overall impressive outing from the Bucs 22-year old signal-caller. The scramble is already trending on social media and is possibly one of the best of the year in the NFL. Often under duress behind an injury-depleted offensive line, Winston still completed 23 of 33 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Nine different receivers caught passes.
TE CAMERON BRATE
Winston was finding his go-to tight end early and often Sunday, as Brate caught all six targets in the first half for 70 yards and a touchdown. The third-year pro, who finished with seven receptions for a game-leading 84 yards, seemed to always find the soft spot over the middle. His chemistry with Winston was on full display Sunday.
S CHRIS CONTE
Conte drew first blood against his former team, reading a pass from Cutler to tight end Logan Paulsen and jumping the route for a clear path to the end zone. It was his first career pick-6, and one that set the tone on a day where rush and coverage was clicking for the Bucs’ defense. Conte also led the team in tackles, with seven.
DE ROBERT AYERS and DT GERALD MCCOY
Among one of the signature plays Sunday – and there were a lot from the entire team – was Robert Ayers’ sack-fumble-safety at the end of the third quarter. After Gerald McCoy burst through the middle and forced Cutler to escape, Ayers chased him down, swatted the ball and all but finished the Bears. That was the duo’s second time combining for a big play, as they both sacked Cutler on third-and-8 earlier in the third quarter. Ayers finished with six tackles, while McCoy, who lead blocked for Doug Martin’s late touchdown, added another three.
DEs WILL GHOLSTON and NOAH SPENCE
For as good as the Bears defensive line was Sunday, the Bucs were even better. Getting in on the forced-fumble action was Gholston and Spence. The former, on a never-say-die-play, came up from behind on running back Jordan Howard to punch the ball loose, while the latter knocked it away from Cutler in the red zone, possibly saving an early touchdown. Both plays were huge momentum shifts in the 36-10 rout.
CB BRENT GRIMES
On a day where the secondary played lights out and held Chicago to 182 yards passing, mostly off of one 50-yard Hail Mary, Grimes added another interception to his count. The veteran cornerback stepped in front of a slant pattern during the Bears second drive and hardly heard his name called thereafter, a good sign for a cornerback. He finished with two tackles.
GUNNER JOSH ROBINSON
Even without his fellow special teams ace, Russell Shepard (hip), Robinson still stood out as a play-making gunner. Along with taking down punt returner Eddie Royal on the 2-yard line, setting up an eventual safety in the third quarter, the UCF product also came flying in on a kickoff in the second quarter to stop Chicago at the 10-yard line.
Honorable Mention: WR Freddie Martino (first career reception for a 43-yard TD), WR Mike Evans (4 catches for 66 yards, including 39-yard catch-of-the-game) and Adam Humphries (5 receptions for 46 yards)