NFL Chicago BearsTampa Bay Buccaneers

Predicting the Final Score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears

Fresh Videos

By

Matt Forte Tampa Bay Buccaneers Chicago Bears

Getty Images

In some very small circles, this game is a big deal. Former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith returns to Soldier Field for the first time leading his 2-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the 4-6 Bears. Both teams are desperately trying to keep any glimmer of postseason hope alive. The Bucs technically are still in the playoff hunt, thanks to being part of the woeful NFC South, where the Atlanta Falcons sit atop the division at 4-6. You could argue the Bucs have a better shot at the postseason than Chicago, who needs to win their remaining six games to have any chance at the playoffs. It’s a must-win game for both teams from that aspect, with the loser’s postseason aspirations dropping near zero.

This is a big game emotionally for Smith, although he would never let the media know (he might not even let his players know). It also marks the Chicago return of Josh McCown, who Bears fans fell in love with last year (Bears fans always fall in love with their backup quarterback).

As for the game itself, Smith is going to try and win the game with his defense and stick with his traditional game plans. The Bears’ offense is going to have to play better and get some points on the board, because they cannot rely on their defense to keep the Bucs off the board. Chicago’s defense may only have given up 13 points last week to the Minnesota Vikings, but Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are both better than any player that Minnesota put out against Mel Tucker’s squad last week.

The Bucs are going to try to contain Matt Forte and force Jay Cutler to throw, while Chicago’s defense should have success by doing the opposite, containing the struggling Bucs rushing game that ranks 28th in the NFL. This game is going to end up being won through the air. McCown is going to try and light up the Bears’ struggling secondary, and Cutler is going to try to do the same against the Bucs 29th ranked passing defense.

I expect plenty of yards through the air. McCown will play well in his return to Chicago, but I expect Cutler to have another solid game. Cutler will most likely turn the ball over once or twice, as we know Smith loves to try and create turnovers, but I expect Cutler to keep the offense moving pretty well over the course of the 60 minutes.

There will be points scored on both sides of the ball, and this game will be close. The Bucs are going to play hard for coach Smith and to be fair, Tampa is not great, but they are better than their 2-8 record; they have lost five games by six points or less, including two in overtime.

I expect as many as six passing touchdowns combined in this game and a game that is going to be close in the fourth quarter. The Bears finally got on track at home by beating the Vikings at Soldier Field last week, and I expect them to extend that home winning streak to a whopping two. Will the Bears’ offense finally break 30 points? I wouldn’t go that far, but they will come close.

Final Score Prediction: Bears 28, Buccaneers 24

Bill Zimmerman is a Chicago Bears writer for www.RantSports.Com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on