Chicago Bears (3-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
Sunday, October 24, 4:25 PM ET
I’m not sure what’s going on with the spread here, but I don’t think this is going to be as lopsided of a game as they’d suggest. As good as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are and as erratic as the Chicago Bears can be, they aren’t that unevenly matched.
Yes, the Tampa Bay offense will score points because, well, Tom Brady. And still, the Bears have an extremely stingy pass defense that excels at pressuring quarterbacks and forcing them into mistakes. While Brady is arguably the best to ever sling a pigskin, he’s not perfect. Chicago will keep this from turning into a boat race.
My bigger concern for the Bears is their offense, which looks electric at times and awful at others. Much of it will depend on whether or not the offensive line can protect Justin Fields, and if his playmakers are up to the task of keeping up with Tampa Bay in the scoring department.
I’m confident Tampa Bay gets the win, but it won’t be a blowout. The Bears manage some offensive success and maybe even a defensive touchdown, resulting in a solid (but far from easy) win for Brady and his Bucs.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 26-16 | Spread: Buccaneers (-13.5)