Walsh Remains the Perfect Solution for Bears, 20-6

Dave Wannstedt didn’t say it, but Steve Walsh’s play did.

It’s a safe bet that the sixth-year pro will be at quarterback for Chicago next week after improving to 4-0 as a starter with Sunday’s 20-6 victory over Tampa Bay.

Walsh threw for two touchdowns and 205 yards, while rookie Raymont Harris paced a rushing attack that produced a season-high 178 yards and kept the Buccaneers (2-7) off balance all afternoon.

The victory stopped a two-game losing streak for Chicago (5-4), which had its second-best offensive day of the season (383 yards). The Bear defense, last in the NFL against the run, held the Bucs to 38 yards on the ground.

“I thought Steve played extremely well,” said Wannstedt, who didn’t officially name a starting quarterback for next week’s game at Miami.

Walsh, starting for the first time with a healthy Erik Kramer on the sideline, completed 19 of 32 passes and was intercepted once. Harris gained 79 yards on 19 carries.

Rookie Trent Dilfer made his second pro start for Tampa Bay.

The Bears sacked the first-round pick twice and forced him to hurry several throws during a 13-for-25 performance.

Dilfer finished with 159 yards passing and scrambled for 15 yards to set up one of Tampa Bay’s two field goals.

Walsh threw second-half touchdown passes of one yard to Keith Jennings and four yards to Robert Green to break open a close game. Kevin Butler also kicked field goals of 18 and 37 yards for Chicago, which rebounded from last Monday night’s 33-6 loss to Green Bay.