The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to defend an undefeated record on Sunday, and they’ll do it against an opponent they have good recent history against.
The Chicago Bears have played the Bucs five times since 2016. In that span, Tampa Bay is not only 3-2, but won all three of those games in Raymond James Stadium — where the Bucs will play the Bears on Sunday. The Bears will not only try to shake their bad luck in Tampa, but will also try and bounce back from a bad loss against the Packers in Week 1.
Our staff gave our picks for Tampa Bay’s Week 2 matchup, and while our picks weren’t unanimous in Week 1, they certainly are this week. Check them out below:
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The Bucs offense isn’t firing on all cylinders just yet, but I think Fields is the perfect candidate to get fits from Todd Bowles’ pre-snap looks on defense. A tough Bucs defensive unit that had three turnovers last week will get the job done and Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense will rebound from a weaker start after Week 1.
Bucs 27, Bears 14
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The Bears pose a unique challenge to the Bucs but not one that cannot be overcome. While Justin Fields is one of the NFL’s most athletic quarterbacks and most dangerous runners, Chicago’s offense is largely one-dimensional. Tampa Bay enjoyed some turnover luck last week, recovering two fumbles and forcing an interception, but Fields is prone to giving the ball away, committing 27 turnovers last season. The real question for the Bucs is whether the offense can get off to a faster start than last week, particularly against a Bears defense that ranked dead last in 2022 and does not appear to have made much improvement. If Baker Mayfield picks up where he left off last week, this should end in a comfortable win for the Bucs.
Bucs 27, Bears 17
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The Buccaneers proved everyone wrong in Minnesota and have plenty of momentum to carry into their season home opener. Tampa Bay’s offense did appear to get off to a sluggish start last week, but OC Dave Canales and Baker Mayfield proved they can make the necessary halftime adjustments to eke out a win. All Mayfield needs to do is to avoid surrendering any turnovers and his defense should get the team over the hump. Tampa Bay will outpace the Bears in the second half, despite a sluggish start, and contain Justin Fields from running away with the victory.
Bucs 27, Bears 21
