Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears: 2006 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-17, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 34–31 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 35 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Grossman (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with +6.19 total EPA, and +4.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Clark (Chicago Bears) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.99 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-43.6% win probability) landed in overtime when Chicago Bears changed the game: (12:50) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 37 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Clark · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +12.99 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.86 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Galloway · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +10.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +3.38 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Grossman · Chicago Bears · Passing · +6.19 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Muhammad · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +6.19 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.03 EPA/play
5. 5 I. Hilliard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.99 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Davis · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.96 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.96 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Rattay · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +2.65 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Stovall · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.46 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Chicago Bears — D. Clark (R. Grossman pass) (Q1 52:49)
• Chicago Bears — T. Jones (Q2 34:03)
• Chicago Bears — D. Clark (R. Grossman pass) (Q2 30:27)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Alstott (Q3 15:32)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — A. Smith (T. Rattay pass) (Q4 14:19)
• Chicago Bears — C. Benson (Q4 9:29)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — J. Galloway (T. Rattay pass) (Q4 6:24)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — I. Hilliard (T. Rattay pass) (Q4 3:54)

Field goals

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant (Q2 38:24)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q3 20:27)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (OT 3:41)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–0. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the TB 24 (Q1 52:49) — (7:49) 8-R.Grossman pass deep left to 88-D.Clark for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 52:42) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CHI 27 (Q2 38:24) — (8:24) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the TB 5 (Q2 34:03) — (4:03) 20-T.Jones right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 33:58) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the TB 12 (Q2 30:27) — (:27) 8-R.Grossman pass short middle to 88-D.Clark for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q2 30:23) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–3. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the TB 20 (Q3 20:27) — (5:27) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CHI 14 (Q3 15:32) — (:32) 40-M.Alstott right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the TB 35 (Q3 15:25).

The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 28–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CHI 9 (Q4 14:19) — (14:19) 13-T.Rattay pass short left to 81-A.Smith for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q4 14:13) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the TB 30 (Q4 14:13) — 3-M.Bryant kicks 63 yards from TB 30 to CHI 7. 23-D.Hester to CHI 23 for 16 yards (26-W.Allen, 51-B.Ruud).; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the TB 4 (Q4 9:29) — (9:29) 32-C.Benson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 9:23) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CHI 64 (Q4 6:24) — (6:24) 13-T.Rattay pass deep middle to 84-J.Galloway for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q4 6:13) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CHI 44 (Q4 3:54) — (3:54) 13-T.Rattay pass short middle to 19-I.Hilliard for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q4 3:44) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..

Overtime: Chicago Bears won the period 3–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the TB 7 (OT 3:41) — (3:41) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Chicago Bears (OT 12:50) — (12:50) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 37 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard. [WPA -43.6% · EPA -3.28]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 14:21) — (14:21) 13-T.Rattay pass short right to 81-A.Smith to TB 34 for 10 yards (55-L.Briggs). FUMBLES (55-L.Briggs), RECOVERED by CHI-95-I.Scott at TB 37. PENALTY on TB-65-J.Trueblood, Unsportsmanlike Condu [WPA -38.6% · EPA -4.52]
• Chicago Bears (OT 5:40) — (5:40) 8-R.Grossman pass deep left to 81-R.Davis to TB 20 for 28 yards (20-R.Barber). [WPA +37.1% · EPA +2.96]
• Chicago Bears (OT 9:02) — (9:02) (Punt formation) 4-B.Maynard punts 47 yards to TB 2, Center-65-P.Mannelly, downed by CHI-94-B.Ayanbadejo. Play Challenged by Review Assistant and Upheld. [WPA +29.7% · EPA +0.67]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 6:37) — (6:37) (Punt formation) 9-J.Bidwell punts 48 yards to CHI 46, Center-83-D.Moore. 23-D.Hester pushed ob at 50 for 4 yards (50-J.Winborn). [WPA +25.9% · EPA -0.45]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:24) — (6:24) 13-T.Rattay pass deep middle to 84-J.Galloway for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.0% · EPA +5.88]
• Chicago Bears (Q3 15:25) — 3-M.Bryant kicks 58 yards from TB 35 to CHI 7. 23-D.Hester to CHI 15 for 8 yards (46-B.Adams). FUMBLES (46-B.Adams), RECOVERED by TB-54-W.Mallard at CHI 20. 54-W.Mallard to CHI 16 for 4 yards (58-D.Mc [WPA -8.6% · EPA -5.29]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 3:54) — (3:54) 13-T.Rattay pass short middle to 19-I.Hilliard for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +23.7% · EPA +4.53]
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OT 14:21) — (14:21) 13-T.Rattay pass short right to 81-A.Smith to TB 34 for 10 yards (55-L.Briggs). FUMBLES (55-L.Briggs), RECOVERED by CHI-95-I.Scott at TB 37. PENALTY on TB-65-J.Trueblood, Unsportsmanlike Condu [WPA -38.6% · EPA -4.52]

Quarterback report card

R.Grossman led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Grossman (Chicago Bears) · 47 dropbacks · 61.7% completion · +4.6% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.19 total EPA
• T.Rattay (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · -6.4% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +2.65 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.04, Chicago Bears -0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Chicago Bears: 19 drives, -3.83 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 19 drives, -4.06 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Chicago Bears leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• D. Clark (Chicago Bears) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Grossman (CHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Rattay (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 52:49 · TB 24 · Score 0-6
   (7:49) 8-R.Grossman pass deep left to 88-D.Clark for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 52:42 · TB 2 · Score 0-7
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 38:24 · CHI 27 · Score 3-7
   (8:24) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
4. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 34:03 · TB 5 · Score 3-13
   (4:03) 20-T.Jones right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 33:58 · TB 2 · Score 3-14
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
6. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 30:27 · TB 12 · Score 3-20
   (:27) 8-R.Grossman pass short middle to 88-D.Clark for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 30:23 · TB 2 · Score 3-21
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
8. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q3 20:27 · TB 20 · Score 3-24
   (5:27) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 15:32 · CHI 14 · Score 9-24
   (:32) 40-M.Alstott right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 15:25 · TB 35 · Score 10-24
    3-M.Bryant kicks 58 yards from TB 35 to CHI 7. 23-D.Hester to CHI 15 for 8 yards (46-B.Adams). FUMBLES (46-B.Adams), RECOVERED by TB-54-W.Mallard at CHI 20. 54-
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 14:19 · CHI 9 · Score 16-24
    (14:19) 13-T.Rattay pass short left to 81-A.Smith for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 14:13 · CHI 2 · Score 17-24
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+7) — Q4 14:13 · TB 30 · Score 17-24
    3-M.Bryant kicks 63 yards from TB 30 to CHI 7. 23-D.Hester to CHI 23 for 16 yards (26-W.Allen, 51-B.Ruud).
14. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 9:29 · TB 4 · Score 17-30
    (9:29) 32-C.Benson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 9:23 · TB 2 · Score 17-31
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 6:24 · CHI 64 · Score 23-31
    (6:24) 13-T.Rattay pass deep middle to 84-J.Galloway for 64 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 6:13 · CHI 2 · Score 24-31
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 3:54 · CHI 44 · Score 30-31
    (3:54) 13-T.Rattay pass short middle to 19-I.Hilliard for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 3:44 · CHI 2 · Score 31-31
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
20. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — OT 3:41 · TB 7 · Score 31-34
    (3:41) (Field Goal formation) 9-R.Gould 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.