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The Sunday slate for NFL Week 9 saves an NFC showdown for last as Sunday Night Football features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Bears vs Buccaneers will broadcast tonight at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
Continue below for my Bears vs Buccaneers parlay, which includes three props for Rome Odunze, Baker Mayfield, and Bucky Irving.
Bears vs Buccaneers Parlay
- Rome Odunze Over 48.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
- Baker Mayfield Over 0.5 INT (-116)
- Bucky Irving Anytime TD (+110)
Parlay Odds: +631 (DraftKings)
Odds via DraftKings are subject to change*
Bears vs Buccaneers Odds
| Buccaneers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -102 | 47.5 -102o / -118u | +225 |
| Bears Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -118 | 47.5 -102o / -118u | -278 |
- Bears vs Bucs Spread: Bears -6, Bucs +6
- Bears vs Bucs Total: 47.5
- Bears vs Bucs Moneyline: Bears -278, Bucs +225
Bears vs Buccaneers Preview
The Buccaneers enter Chicago to face the surging Bears. Ironically, the Bears are third in the NFC North, while the Buccaneers are tied for first in the NFC South. This could easily change tonight, with the Bears as six-point home favorites.
Despite the win differentials, the Bucs and Bears have had similar seasons. Both lost their starting quarterbacks to multi-week injuries and have made strides since their return, especially on defense. The Buccaneers defense is currently the best in football by DVOA (via FTN), while the Bears' defense is just average.
However, the Bears defense has been on a roll since Kyler Gordon returned in Week 6. They also made a significant improvement to their defensive line by trading for star DT Jeffery Simmons. Chicago still has a hole or two, but it is firmly one of the 10 best units in the league.
The Buccaneers offense will be challenged by Chicago's improved defense, especially if they continue their recent run-heavy game plan. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers have utilized their backfield duo of Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell significantly since Baker Mayfield's return from a dislocated thumb.
The rest of Action Network's Sunday Night Football Coverage:
- Bucs vs Bears Best Bets: 5 Picks from our staff
- Bucs vs Bears Anytime Touchdown Scorers
- SNF Props for Irving, Swift & Burden
Tampa's offense has 105 rush attempts and just 14 pass attempts in the past two weeks combined. Irving only has six touchdowns this season, but three in the past two weeks. Chicago's run defense is much stronger with the aforementioned Simmons added, but rank 22nd this season. Irving will be the first leg of tonight's parlay at +115 to score a TD anytime.
Next, we can assume that Mayfield will be tasked with throwing more tonight than in recent games. There are still concerns about the thumb given that he had surgery, and he may not be throwing at 100%. Chicago's offense is strong enough to pour points on any defense and should force the issue of passing onto Tampa.
Chicago's defense only has five interceptions this season, but it has a good opportunity to make it at least six against Mayfield and his 2.4% INT rate since 2024. Mayfield over 0.5 INTs is the second leg of tonight's parlay at -116.
Lastly, the Bears will need to throw to move the ball against Tampa Bay's top-five run defense. Caleb Williams has been hesitant to run in recent weeks after returning from his hamstring injury, and that has resulted in 34.3 pass attempts per game.
The main beneficiary tonight should be Rome Odunze, who has a significant matchup advantage against a Buccaneers defense that is top-five in zone and single-high safety coverage.
Odunze's yards per route spike against these coverage looks, and he is a good bet to hit over 48.5 yards (-115), especially with 10.6 yards per target this season.
Bears vs Buccaneers Same-Game Parlay
- Rome Odunze Over 48.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
- Baker Mayfield Over 0.5 INT (-116)
- Bucky Irving Anytime TD (+110)
Parlay Odds: +631 (DraftKings)
