The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they pay a visit to the Chicago Bears in Week 4. Game time is at 1:00 EST on Sunday, September 30, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Fans in some markets will be able to watch the game on Fox.
Oddsmakers have listed the Bears as 3-point favorites at home with an over/under of 46.5 points. Click here to see the odds of this and every other NFL game this week.
The Bucs are coming off their first loss of the season on Monday night. After wins over the Saints and Eagles, Tampa Bay couldn’t quite come all the way back from a 30-10 halftime deficit against the Steelers. Ryan Fitzpatrick led the comeback with another 400-yard passing performance, although it was his three interceptions that helped put the Bucs in a hole in the first place.
Nevertheless, the Bucs will be thrilled to have started the season 2-1 after somewhat bleak preseason expectations. However, Jameis Winston’s suspension is over and now the Buccaneers have to choose between him and Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback. Dirk Koetter has apparently made his decision but is declining to let anyone know prior to Sunday, which will make this game tricky to call.
As for the Bears, they’ve had no trouble bouncing back after they were the victims of a miraculous Aaron Rodgers comeback in Week 1. Chicago has since scored wins over both Seattle and Arizona, although those teams are a combined 1-5 on the season. The Bears were also a little fortunate to win last week after falling behind 14-0. But the Chicago defense has been strong all season to help support Mitchell Trubisky and the offense, enabling the Bears to get off to a promising start.
After last week’s win, the Bears sit all alone atop the NFC North. This week’s game against the Bucs will provide their biggest challenge since playing Rodgers and the Packers in Week 1. However, Chicago’s schedule over the next couple of months is quite manageable, at least on paper. If the Bears can hold serve at home this week, they may have a chance to remain on top of the division for the foreseeable future.
I’ve been a fan of Chicago this season, but I’m a little uncomfortable swallowing the points with the Bears, especially against one of the best offensive teams in the NFL. If Chicago’s offense were more reliable, I would be more willing to believe in them. However, I’m not convinced they can score enough to cover, so I’ll take my chances with Tampa Bay and the points.
All the talk this week has been about whether it’ll be Fitzpatrick or Winston starting for the Bucs, but to me, it doesn’t matter that much. Quite frankly, when teams have to defend both Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, while also keeping an eye on Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard, there are a lot of quarterbacks who would have success throwing the ball. Personally, I think it’d be foolish to bench Fitzpatrick at this point. But Winston could step in after missing three weeks and play just as well with the weapons around him.
Of course, the Bucs will be facing one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. The Bears are 2-1 this year because of their defense, and they are likely to go as far as their defense will take them. However, this will be their toughest test of the season. Even the Packers didn’t have the diverse array of playmakers that the Bucs possess. That’s not to say the Bears won’t have their moments with the way they can rush the passer and force turnovers. But the Bucs will surely find ways to score points, even if they don’t reach their average of 34 points.
This means that Trubisky and the Chicago offense will have to pull their weight. The key, of course, will be establishing a steady running game to help take some of the pressure off Trubisky, who’s averaging less than 200 yards passing per game with just two touchdowns. The Jordan Howard-Tarik Cohen backfield tandem has been successful this year. But there appears to be a ceiling as to how much they can do with teams focusing on stopping Chicago’s running game.
The Tampa Bay defense, as we know, has had plenty of issues early in the season. However, they’ve been fine against the run and have had to deal with some outstanding quarterbacks and skill players. Chicago doesn’t have a quarterback that can carry his team, so I’m inclined to think that the Tampa Bay defense could have one of their better games on Sunday. If the Bucs can strike early and get a lead, Trubusky could be in trouble, as the Bucs do have some quality pass rushers.
In the end, I think the Bears are a little too reliant on their defense. The Bucs have too many playmakers on offense to keep under wraps for four quarters. Sooner or later, the Chicago offense will have to do something to win the game, and I’m not convinced they’ll be able to do that. With the Bucs getting three extra points, I’ll take my chances with Tampa Bay on the road.