Bucs Face Bears Under Mostly Clear Sunday Skies
Tampa Bay visits Soldier Field for a Week 9 matchup with a 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff in forecast-friendly conditions.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Current Conditions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Chicago Bears in a Week 9 matchup at Soldier Field on Sunday night, with mostly clear skies and no precipitation forecast. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.
Why it matters
Dry, mild conditions could ease passing and kicking challenges that weather can introduce late in the NFL season. The matchup pits a 3-5 Buccaneers team against a 6-2 Bears squad at home.
The forecast calls for a 60-degree daytime high falling to 41 degrees overnight, with northwest winds of 8 mph and gusts to 18 mph. Afternoon winds could reach 15 mph with gusts to 27 mph before easing in the evening.
The players
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A National Football League franchise based in Tampa, Florida, competing in the NFC South division.
Chicago Bears
A National Football League franchise based in Chicago, Illinois, that plays its home games at Soldier Field.
The details
Tampa Bay relied on its rushing attack to secure a 16-0 victory over Atlanta in Week 8, rushing for a franchise-record 324 yards. Baker Mayfield finished that game without a completion, and the Buccaneers have completed seven passes for 64 yards over the last two games.
Timeline
Week 8: Buccaneers beat Atlanta 16-0 in heavy rain.
Sunday night: Buccaneers play Bears at Soldier Field.
8:20 p.m. ET: Scheduled kickoff.
Seasonal Patterns
Tampa Bay's Week 8 win came in heavy rain, while Sunday's forecast calls for mostly clear skies at Soldier Field. Dry conditions contrast sharply with the wet weather that shaped the Buccaneers' recent rushing output.
Fans attending Sunday's game should plan for temperatures falling from the low 60s to the low 40s after kickoff. Bring layers and expect gusty northwest winds, especially during the afternoon before conditions ease.
The takeaway
Mild, dry forecasts can make late-season kicking and deep passing more reliable than the wet conditions that defined Tampa Bay's recent games. Fans should dress for a cold evening even if the day feels mild.
Further reading
For more on how conditions are tracked around the city, see Current Conditions in Chicago.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bucs Wire.
