Hurricane Irma shut down all Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) operations last week, cancelling their Week One match up with the Miami Dolphins. The Chicago Bears (0-1) made a game of it against the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, but still lost as losers usually do.
The Game: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5)
The History
The Buccaneers first joined the NFL in 1976 and a year later faced off against the Bears for the first time, losing 10-0.
Up until the NFL realigned in 2002, Tampa Bay and the Bears were in the same division, the NFC Central. It’s been a lopsided rivalry with the Bears holding a 38-19 advantage.
Realignment didn’t help the Bucs’ overall record with Chicago much. Since 2002, Tampa Bay is 4-5 against the Bears. The Buccaneers won their 2016 match up 36-10 at Raymond James Stadium.
From September, 1983 until November, 1988 the Bears won 12 consecutive games over Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers won six straight from December, 1997 to September, 2000 during the Tony Dungy era.
While the Bears and Buccaneers no longer share the same division, they do make up one list of historic teams. The 1985 Bears and the 2002 Buccaneers are widely considered to be two of the best defensive units ever fielded.
CHICAGO BEARS (0-1)
As horrible as Mike Glennon looked at quarterback for Chicago in the preseason, he nearly pulled off the second biggest upset of opening week. Glennon got the Bears all the way down to the Atlanta five yard line, but couldn’t punch in a winning score and turned the ball over on downs. It was a scare for the Falcons, but it was a solid effort for a Bears team that early this off-season looked like they were already packing it in for 2017.
Just like last season, Chicago pulled a fast one on fantasy football owners and went with a different running back than the plan plainly stated they should. This could be because Jordan Howard has a banged up shoulder, but rookie Tarik Cohen was a lightning rod, gaining 66 yards on just five carries and leading the Bears with eight catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
The defense managed just two sacks let Matt Ryan pass all over them, but they did limit Devonta Freeman and Tevin Colemna to just 20 combined carries for 53 yards and one touchdown.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-0)
The Bucs had an extra week to prepare for this game and if this is a team that will not only contend for a playoff spot, but the NFC South crown, that should matter. Quarterback Jameis Winston was probably already due for a serious break out year before the team brought him in two more elite weapons, free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson and rookie tight end O.J. Howard.
At running back, Jacquizz Rodgers will get the early nod as Doug Martin sits out with a suspension. The Buccaneers have shuffled their offensive line around a little too, moving Ali Marpet to center and trying to get their best five lineman on the field.
Tampa Bay has an underrated defense that should be improved this season. Last year they were No. 15 in the league in points allowed, but No. 23 in yards allowed. That means that while teams were able to move the ball on the Bucs, they were able to successfully keep them out of the end zone. There are plenty of names on this Tampa Bay defense you’re going to need to learn, but I want to start with their two vastly underrated linebackers; Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David. These guys are NFL stars and it’s time they get their due.
The Pick
With the weapons Winston has at his disposal in the passing game and a superior defense than the one Chicago faced last week, I don’t see any way this one stays close. If you play daily fantasy, look hard at Mike Evans regardless of price. He might haul in three touchdowns and 200 yards in this one. Buccaneers 41, Bears 19
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 1-0
Season
Straight up: 10-6
Against the spread: 9-7
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