Chicago Bears: Storylines to watch for in Week 2 vs Buccaneers
We can imagine how badly the Chicago Bears want to get back on the field. Their 2023 debut did not go as planned. It was more of the same things we saw in recent memory. It left a bad taste in the fans’ mouths.
It also left a bad taste in the players. Quarterback Justin Fields went so far as to apologize for what happened.
The team wants a redo. They won’t get that with the Green Bay Packers but they have an opportunity to regroup and give a better showing. In Week 2, they travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa is on the opposite side of the spectrum. They are riding high after pulling off an upset over the Minnesota Vikings. Now they want to win another game.
The Bears are just trying to get a win any way they can. They are on an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season. The new regime is now 3-15 since they took over. The fans are growing restless and want to see the team move back in the right direction.
There are a lot of storylines in this game. The Chicago Bears have a lot to work on and overcome.
Hopefully, Chicago will work on what ailed them last week and at least give a better effort in Week 2. Here are some storylines to look for against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears: Storylines to watch for in Week 2 vs Buccaneers
Can the defense continue to stuff the run?
One thing that was overlooked in the tough loss last week was how well the Chicago Bears’ defense did against the run. They held the Packers to just 92 rushing yards and an average of 2.9 yards per carry.
The Bears ranked 31st against the run last season. However, they invested a lot in the front seven. The additions of Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Andrew Billings, Tremaine Edmunds, and T.J. Edwards helped in showing an improvement in Week 1.
The Bucs ranked dead last in rushing last season. They struggled again to run the ball last week, rushing for just 73 yards and averaging 2.2 yards per carry.
The Bears have to keep plugging up the middle and stuffing the run. They need to make the Bucs a one-dimensional offense. Baker Mayfield had a decent game throwing the ball. He completed 61 percent of his passes and had 173 yards. What helped him was the Vikings’ defense allowing big plays for touchdowns.
Mayfield is known to give opposing defenses prime opportunities at turnovers. If the Bears shut down the running game then Mayfield will give the Bears plenty of chances at the ball.
