BEARS vs. BUCCANEERS: Week 4 Pre-Gamin’ – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

If there was ever a time for Mitch Trubisky to have a big game, today would be it.

And if it’s behind the strength of a scaled back offense, so be it.

First place is on the line in Chicago as the Bears host the Buccaneers in a game that features a pair of unexpected teams at the top of their respective divisions. We all know the Bears are being led by their defense (what else is new?) and in search of their first three-game winning streak since the Marc Trestman era. And while we figured the Buccaneers would ride their offense into Soldier Field in Week 4, no one saw Ryan Fitzpatrick coming.

The Buccaneers’ starting quarterback is averaging 410 yards and three passing touchdowns in his first three games. So for the Bears to win this game, they’ll need to score touchdowns and not settle for field goals. Perhaps the Buccaneers defense will give Trubisky a window to throw. After all, Tampa’s defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 77.9 percent of their passes and post a 117.1 passer rating in the process. Of course, those quarterbacks who carved the Bucs were Drew Brees, Nick Foles, and Ben Roethlisberger … so maybe that bar we’re setting is a little too high right now.

At some point, Trubisky needs to show up in a big way. Because while the defense can certainly hold its own, asking it to pitch perfect games week-in, week-out is going to eventually lead to disappointment.

Game Info

Chicago Bears (2-1, 1st NFC North) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1, t-1st NFC South) – noon CT, FOX, WBBM-AM 780, WCFS-FM 105.9

Odds: Bears (-3), Over/Under 46, via the Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas.

Game Thread and Week 4 Preview

The first Sunday noon start of the year is finally here. Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun. And hopefully, we can keep the good times rolling as the Bears try to get their first three-game win streak of the Matt Nagy era.

Your Week 4 Preview lives here.

Coaches

Matt Nagy (2-1) vs. Dirk Koetter (16-19)

Starting Quarterbacks

Bears: Mitch Trubisky

Last week: 24-35, 220 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 73.5 rating

versus

Buccaneers: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Last week: 30-50, 411 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, 81.3 rating

Bears Inactives

#Bears Inactives vs. Buccaneers

No. 17 Anthony Miller
No. 20 Prince Amukamara
No. 31 Marcus Cooper
No. 47 Isaiah Irving
No. 49 Kylie Fitts
No. 69 Rashaad Coward
No. 97 Nick Williams#TBvsCHI | #DaBears⁠ ⁠

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 30, 2018

That means rookie receiver Javon Wims is all in today.

Bears Expected Offensive Starters

QB Mitch Trubisky

RB Jordan Howard

FB Michael Burton

WR Allen Robinson

WR Taylor Gabriel

TE Trey Burton

LT Charles Leno Jr.

LG Eric Kush

C Cody Whitehair

RG Kyle Long

RT Bobby Massie

Bears Expected Defensive Starters

DT Akiem Hicks

NT Eddie Goldman

DE Jonathan Bullard

OLB Khalil Mack

ILB Danny Trevathan

ILB Roquan Smith

OLB Leonard Floyd

CB Kyle Fuller

CB Kevin Toliver II

FS Eddie Jackson

SS Adrian Amos

Bears Specialists

Cody Parkey (kicker), Pat O’Donnell (punter, holder), Patrick Scales (long snapper), Benny Cunningham, Tarik Cohen (kick returners), Tarik Cohen (punt returner)

Buccaneers Inactives:

https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1046423254834008064

Buccaneers Offense Expected Starters:

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

RB Peyton Barber

WR Mike Evans

WR DeSean Jackson

TE Cameron Brate

TE O.J. Howard

LT Donovan Smith

LG Ali Marpet

C Ryan Jensen

RG Caleb Benenoch

RT Demar Dotson

Buccaneers Defense Expected Starters:

DE Vinny Curry

DT Gerald McCoy

DT Vita Vea

DE Jason Pierre-Paul

SLB Adarius Taylor

MLB Kwon Alexander

WLB Lavonte David

CB Carlton Davis

CB Brent Grimes

S Justin Evans

S Jordan Whitehead

Buccaneers Specialists:

Chandler Catanzaro (kicker), Bryan Anger (punter), Garrison Sanborn (long snapper), Jacquizz Rodgers (kick return), Adam Humphries, DeSean Jackson (punt return)