Finishing touch
Just when the Bucs thought they had resolved their concerns about finishing games, the Bears rallied from a 10-point deficit to ensure Tampa Bay of its fourth consecutive losing season. After allowing the Redskins to drive the field at the end of the second quarter last week, the Bucs blanked Washington in the second half en route to a 27-7 triumph that ended a five-game tailspin.

“We’re up 10-0 going into halftime and we can’t close the deal,’’ lamented CB Alterraun Verner, who returned Sunday after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. “The Saints game, same thing, we’re up 11 points in the fourth quarter and end up losing. You can’t be up two scores, especially a team that prides itself on defense like ours, and let the game slip away.’’

LB Danny Lansanah, who moved from the strong side to the weak side due to the absence of All-Pro Lavonte David with a hamstring injury, pointed to the decisive third quarter, when the Bears scored three touchdowns within an eight-minute span. Two of the drives were 15 yards or less, following Tampa Bay turnovers.

“It doesn’t matter what the offense does, we had a chance to stop them and we didn’t,’’ said Lansanah, who made seven tackles Sunday. “It’s a shame because you work so hard and prepare all week and we come up on the short end of the stick.’’

Game notes
QB Mike Glennon was the only Bucs player who dressed but did not play.
Beside David, Tampa Bay’s inactives were RB Mike James, rookie WR Robert Herron, rookie T Kevin Pamphile, DE Da’Quan Bowers and DBs Crezdon Butler and C.J. Wilson.
FB Jorvorskie Lane was carted off with an ankle injury early in the second quarter on his only carry of the day.
MLB Mason Foster (hand) and rookie TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (back) said they were OK after the game.
Chicago’s 68 yards through two quarters marked Tampa Bay’s best first-half defensive effort since allowing 64 to the 49ers in 2010.
WRs Vincent Jackson and Louis Murphy each topped the 100-yard mark as Josh McCown threw for 341 yards.
The 204 yards gained by Chicago is the fewest by a Tampa Bay opponent since the Bucs yielded 174 yards against Seattle in 2010.