Bearsmania Sweeps the UK: Bears Defeat Buccaneers 24-18

The Bears almost found a way to lose this one. The Bears charged their way to a 14-5 lead at the half and led 21-5 after the third quarter, but Josh Freeman led two strong touchdown drives in the fourth to cut the score to 21-11, then 21-18, as a defense that had been in the Tampa backfield all day suddenly looked like they were swimming in concrete. Jay Cutler looked solid at times, but this wasn't the same quality of game that he had in his prior two - one of his interceptions (a tipped screen pass by Marion Barber) led to a Chris Conte interception which led to Forte being tackled for a safety, and a second interception led to a Tampa touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

There were some questionable moments in this one - okay, quite a few, including the playcalling in the fourth quarter, and we'll dissect them in Scribbles in the morning. For now, this is your post-victory thread. Quick, victorious numbers after the jump.

Jay Cutler: 17/32, 226 yards, TD, 2 INT - 60.2 passer rating

Matt Forte: 25 carries, 145 yards, TD
Marion Barber: 6 carries, 39 yards, TD
Roy Williams: 4 receptions, 59 yards, TD
Interceptions: DJ Moore, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Chris Conte
Amobi Okoye: sack

Josh Freeman: 29/51, 264 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT - 51.4 passer rating

Kregg Lumpkin: 8 carries, 15 yards
Mike Williams: 6 receptions, 75 yards
Dezmon Briscoe: 6 receptions, 73 yards, TD
Kellen Winslow: 4 receptions, 25 yards, TD
Interceptions: Tanard Jackson, Corey Lynch
Sacks: Ronde Barber, Adrian Clayborn
Ronde Barber: 5 tackles, sack, safety