Location: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay
Time: 4:25 EST
TV: CBS
Storylines
This Sunday is a revenge game, at least in Tom Brady’s mind, after last year’s Thursday night loss to the Nick Foles led Bears at Soldier Field. Brady was sacked three times in that Week 5 matchup.
A lot has changed since these two have last played and the odds certainly reflect it with the Bucs being nearly two touchdown favorites going into this game.
The Tom Brady vs. Justin Fields matchup is actually the largest age gap between starting quarterbacks in NFL history. You should expect to hear that mentioned quite a bit throughout the coverage of the game.
This beat up Buccaneers secondary has sort of lucked out by playing against a lot of young quarterbacks lately who have had good games but just haven’t done enough to keep up with this high-power Bucs offense. You get a rookie quarterback this week so that sort of trend should therefore continue on Sunday.
After playing in Philly last Thursday, the Bucs got a week and a half of rest. Will they come out looking rejuvenated or will they need some time to wake up?
Injury Report
*Based on Thursdays practice
Bucs
WR Antonio Brown (ankle) did not practice
ILB Lavonte David (ankle) did not practice
TE Rob Gronkowski (ribs) did not practice
CB Richard Sherman (hamstring) did not practice
OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand) did not practice
TE OJ Howard (ankle) limited practice
Bears
OLB Khalil Mack (foot) did not practice
DL Akiem Hicks (groin) did not practice
WR Jakeem Grant Sr. (ankle) did not practice
DL Bilal Nichols (knee) did not practice
S Tashaun Gipson Sr. (hip) did not practice
WR Allen Robinson (ankle) limited practice
WR Darnell Mooney (groin) limited practice
LB Caleb Johnson (knee) limited practice
DB Duke Shelley (ankle) limited practice
TE J.P. Holtz (quad) limited practice
Bears Report
The biggest strength for Chicago is their defensive line. This is a huge game for Tampa Bay’s o-line to protect Brady, hopefully, better than they did last year.
However, on the other side of the ball, the Bears look weak on the line. They typically try to develop a run game first and then go away from it if it doesn’t work. But, given the weakness in this Bucs secondary, Chicago can come out throwing.
If the Bucs can get pressure on Fields and make things uncomfortable for him by containing when he tries to scramble then they’ll probably be able to shut down this Bears offense. Easier said than done.
The Bucs offense may have a tough time on the ground this week but this Bears defense also struggles in the secondary so Brady should be able to have a field day even with Antonio Brown out. They have more than enough weapons to be able to pick on at least one or two of these Bears defensive backs.
Prediction
Bucs 34 Bears 23
Don’t be surprised to see the Bears get into the 20s, but I expect Tampa Bay’s offense to be able to break well into the 30s to win this game. I don’t like the Bucs to cover their spread (-12.5) but I do like them to pull out a win by at least one score.
Brady throws for three touchdowns in a comeback win after the Bucs start out slow from not playing in nine days.
FL Teams has partnered with “The AJ Show”. AJ will be covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears game! Be sure to stop on by for play-by-play reactions along with smack talk!
https://youtu.be/SDj1dEiEUkA