Week 1 provided a platform for hope if you want to believe in the Chicago Bears’ future.
The Bears hung tough with the defending NFC champions, climbing back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit before a potential game-winning drive stalled at the 5-yard-line. Mike Glennon overcame an awful first three quarters to put the offense in drive in crunch time. Tarik Cohen’s coming-out party was an exhilarating performance of speed and skill we hope continues in the weeks, months, and years to come. Akiem Hicks didn’t rest after signing a big-money contract extension, bringing home a pair of sacks and providing constant pressure on the quarterback and presence in the backfield.
On the other side of the field, you’ll find the Tampa Bay Buccaneers providing another unique challenge for the Bears.
The Bucs are like the Falcons in that both teams possess a skilled passing attack engineered by a high-end quarterback (Jameis Winston) and some big-play threats at receiver (Mike Evans, DeSean Watson). Tampa Bay has a bit more depth offensively with a pair of two-way tight ends (Cameron Brate, O.J. Howard) who can stretch the middle of the field and make plays as receivers. Containing that tandem will be quite the task for inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski in the absence of starter Jerrell Freeman.
Meanwhile, it’s Glennon – a former Buccaneers starting quarterback – looking to orchestrate an offensive attack that didn’t get going until the fourth quarter last week. Glennon will hit the field with a full set of receivers on Sunday. No, Cameron Meredith and Kevin White aren’t miraculously healed and available. However, at least the team can toss out four and five receiver sets without using tight ends and running backs because Tanner Gentry and Tre McBride are active on Sunday.
You can check out who joins left guard on the Bears’ list of inactives here.
Game Info
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) at Chicago Bears (0-1, 4th NFC North) – noon CT on FOX-TV (Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth, Shannon Spake), WBBM-AM 780, WCFS-FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Zach Zaidman)
Odds: Buccaneers (-7), Over/Under 44 via Bovada.lv
Game Thread and Week 2 Preview
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.
Your Week 2 Preview lives here.
Coaches
John Fox (128-113 overall, 9-24 with Bears) vs. Dirk Koetter (9-7 with Buccaneers)
Starting Quarterbacks
Bears: Mike Glennon (2017): 213 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 65.0 completion percentage, 86.8 rating
versus
Buccaneers: Jameis Winston (2016): 4,090 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 60.8 completion percentage, 86.1 rating
Bears Expected Offensive Starters
Bears Expected Defensive Starters
Bears Specialists
Buccaneers Offense Expected Starters:
Buccaneers Defense Expected Starters:
Buccaneers Specialists: