Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans cheer after a touchdown from wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the Buccaneers' home opener against the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sept. 17, 2017.
WORTH THE WAIT
Sept. 17, 2017By WILL VRAGOVIC, LOREN ELLIOTT and MONICA HERNDON Times Staff Photographers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked anything but rusty Sunday when they finally opened their 2017 season. Tampa Bay forced four turnovers and cruised to a 29-7 victory over the Chicago Bears. Several of the Bucs’ starters hadn’t played in a month, sitting out the final preseason game and having their scheduled Sept. 17 opener with Miami postponed until November because of Hurricane Irma. But the Bucs led 26-0 at halftime, and nearly posted their first shutout since 2010. Here’s what it was like Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa:
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WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) makes his way onto the field to warm up before the game in the Bucs' season opener against the Chicago Bears.
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MONICA HERNDON | Times
Patrick Reed, of Tampa, sports an elaborate Bucs-themed haircut by Fuss the Barber, before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' home opener against the Chicago Bears at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
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LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) makes a grand entrance onto the field before the game at Raymond James Stadium.
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LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Buccaneers linebacker Cameron Lynch (52) dives on the ball after Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) fumbled a punt return during the first half.
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WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Buccaneers defensive back Robert McClain (36) in the end zone after an interception in the second quarter.
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LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) makes a touchdown catch as Chicago Bears defensive back Marcus Cooper (31) defends.
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Rick Stroud and Tom Jones break down the season-opener game
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MONICA HERNDON | Times
Fans hold signs related to last week's Hurricane Irma during the Buccaneers' home opener.
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WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (25) shoves off Chicago Bears defensive back Marcus Cooper (31) on a 14-yard run in the third quarter of the game.
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MONICA HERNDON | Times
Buccaneers strong safety Chris Conte (23) and cornerback Brent Grimes (24) stop Chicago Bears wide receiver Tanner Gentry (19) in the fourth quarter.
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LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) rushes the ball during the second half.
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MONICA HERNDON | Times
Chicago Bears wide receiver Deonte Thompson (14) makes a fourth-quarter touchdown catch.
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WILL VRAGOVIC | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) approaches Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon (8) to shake hands at the end of the game.
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LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) walks off the field victorious after the Bucs defeated the Chicago Bears 29-7.
