Trubisky's 6 TDs help Bears bury Buccaneers

[October 01, 2018]  Mitchell Trubisky completed 19 of 26 passes for 354 yards and six touchdowns, and the Chicago Bears coasted to a 48-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.

Trubisky enjoyed by far the best start of his two-year career, tossing more touchdown passes (five) than incomplete passes (four) during the first half. He fell one touchdown pass shy of Sid Luckman's franchise record of seven, and he became the first quarterback to tally five touchdown passes in a half since Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers did so in 2014.

Slot receiver Taylor Gabriel caught two touchdowns for Chicago (3-1). Four others hauled in one touchdown apiece, including Trey Burton, Allen Robinson, Tarik Cohen and Josh Bellamy.

Tampa Bay (2-2) gave up 30-plus points for the third time in four games this season.

Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick showed no magical touch after throwing for 400-plus yards in each of his first three games. Fitzpatrick was 9 of 18 for 126 yards and an interception before he was replaced at halftime.

Fellow signal-caller Jameis Winston stepped in for Fitzpatrick in his return from a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's player conduct policy. Winston finished 16 of 20 for 145 yards, one touchdown and a pair of interceptions.

Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack became the first player in NFL history to force a fumble in each of the first four weeks to open a season. Mack haunted both Tampa Bay quarterbacks, notching a strip-sack on Fitzpatrick in the first half and hitting Winston as he threw to prompt an interception by teammate Danny Trevathan in the second half.

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) passes the ball in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago raced to a 38-3 halftime lead and made it 45-3 in the third quarter in front of a delirious home crowd.

The thorough beating wounded more than the Buccaneers' feelings. Second-year tight end O.J. Howard left the game and did not return because of a knee injury, while cornerback Carlton Davis exited because of a groin injury.

Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was ejected in the first half for shoving an official. Hicks, who likely will face a fine and could be subject to suspension, angrily tossed his shoulder pads and jersey into the crowd on his way off the field.

--Field Level Media

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