Buccaneers vs Bears Game Analysis: Division Disparities
Sunday Night Football features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visiting the Chicago Bears. Kickoff is at 7:20 pm CST (November 8).
Both teams are in second place in their respective divisions. The Bears are 6-2 in the highly competitive NFC North. The Buccaneers are 3-5 in the NFC South, which is the only division with no teams with a winning record.
So what’s going on with the Buccaneers’ running game? Here at PayPerHead, you’ll find our Buccaneers vs Bears prediction and everything you need to know ahead of this game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recent Scores: Ground Dominance
The Buccaneers started the season 0-4, but have turned things around and won their last two games.
In Week 7, Baker Mayfield returned from a thumb injury that kept him out of Weeks 4, 5, and 6. The Bucs blew out the Panthers by leaning on the ground game. Mayfield attempted just 11 passes, completing 7 for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Bucky Irving rushed for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns. The team racked up 258 rushing yards on 49 carries. They forced 4 turnovers and recorded 5 sacks. Carolina’s Bryce Young faced constant pressure.
Week 8 was historic for the Bucs. Mayfield didn’t complete any passes in a wet, sloppy field because of driving rain most of the game. But the team set a rushing record with 324 yards.
They were also the first team since 1974 to have zero passing completions. The Buffalo Bills were the last ones to do it. They also won, beating the Jets 16-12.
- Week 1: at Bengals 27-33 (loss)
- Week 2: vs Browns 19-23 (loss)
- Week 3: vs Vikings 16-23 (loss)
- Week 4: vs Packers 14-17 (loss)
- Week 5: at Cowboys 24-16 (win)
- Week 6: vs Steelers 19-26 (loss)
- Week 7: at Panthers 43-13 (win)
- Week 8: vs Falcons 16-0 (win)
Chicago Bears Recent Scores: Efficient Play
The Bears are doing well with a three-game winning streak coming into Week 9.
In Week 7 against the Patriots, they took an early 10-0 lead. The Patriots caught up a bit by the end of the first half, but couldn’t get any closer. Chicago’s kicker Cairo Santos hit the right upright on a 53-yard attempt in the fourth, but with 1:34 remaining made a career-long 58-yard field goal.
In Week 8, the Bears visited Seattle. They were able to break through the normally stingy Seattle defense and end their 30-game record of not losing by more than 4 points. Caleb Williams was extremely efficient, completing 71% of his passes for 247 yards and getting sacked just once.
- Week 1: at Panthers 59-37 (win)
- Week 2: vs Vikings 3-9 (loss)
- Week 3: vs Eagles 27-7 (win)
- Week 4: vs Jets 23-12 (win)
- Week 5: at Packers 7-31 (loss)
- Week 6: at Falcons 31-23 (win)
- Week 7: vs Patriots 30-24 (win)
- Week 8: at Seahawks 34-17 (win)
Buccaneers vs Bears History: Overbearing
These teams have played each other 62 times, with the Bears leading 40-22-0. Their longest winning streak came in the 80s when they won 12 games in a row. Tampa Bay’s longest winning streak began in 1997 and lasted six games.
They first met in 1977 when the Bears beat the Buccaneers 10-0, but as of yet, they have not met in the playoffs.
Buccaneers vs Bears Prediction: To Pass or Not to Pass
While Chicago’s Caleb Williams’ passing game has been very efficient, Baker Mayfield’s is almost non-existent. But both teams are winning, and both teams have a strong ground game.
The Bears are favored by 6 points. They are the more complete, high-powered team and should win, but may not cover the spread. Will the Buccaneers continue focusing on the ground, or will they surprise the Bears with a more balanced game than recently?
Our Buccaneers vs Bears prediction is a continuation of the Bears’ dominance. They’ll beat the Bucs 28-26. Remember to follow us on social media to stay tuned this NFL season.
