NFL
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Face Off Against The Chicago Bears
For the fifth consecutive year, the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play against each other in the regular season. With both teams at 2-1 and atop their respective divisions, each team will be looking to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick nearly led a comeback win on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Bucs were down 20 points at halftime, they almost completed a comeback but fell short 30-27. Chicago struggled with the Arizona Cardinals but still defeated them 16-14.
With a bye week looming for the Bucs in Week 5, this week is extremely critical. If Fitzpatrick falters on Sunday, it will be interesting to see they actually go back to Jameis Winston. Head coach Dirk Koetter hasn’t publicly stated who’ll start on Sunday, but I don’t see how the starter isn’t Ryan Fitzpatrick. He’s thrown for 400 yards in three consecutive starts, becoming the first player in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
Strength vs. Strength
Tampa Bay statistically has the best offense in the entire NFL as they’re averaging nearly 475 yards per game. The running game has been stagnant, but Fitzpatrick is carrying the Bucs offense. The Bears were a top ten defense a season ago, and now with the trade for Khalil Mack, they’re currently a top five unit.
Mack has clearly been everything the Bears have hoped for. Tampa is also tied for third in the NFL averaging 34.0 points per game. Chicago is tied for eighth in scoring defense averaging 18.3 yards per game
Weakness vs. Weakness
On the flip side, Tampa has the 31st ranked defense in the entire league while the Bears have the 26th ranked offense. The Buccaneers have given up 30 and 40 points in two of their three games while Chicago averaged 21.0 points per game.
For as good as the passing offense for the Bucs has been so far, the passing defense is last in the NFL allowing 362.7 passing yards per game. Chicago is 28th in passing offense averaging a measly 178 yards per contest.
Game Prediction
I’m a firm believer that a good defense always prevails over a good offense. Khalil Mack and the Bears’ pass rush will make life difficult for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
I’m a fan of “Fitzmagic,” but I think we saw it begin to run out on Monday night. I like Chicago at home in this game especially if Khalil Mack and the pass rush gets going.
Photo Credit: Andy Grosh via Flickr
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