The Bears improved to 2-3 today after their win against the Buccaneers 37-9.

 

The narrative coming into the game for both teams revolved around one thing: interceptions. Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady entered the game with 11 interceptions while Chicago’s revolving door quarterback room entered the game with 14 total interceptions. 

 

Chicago entered the game on a 1 game winning streak, after pulling off a last second victory over the Colts the week prior. Obviously displeased with their quarterback play, the Bears signed free agent Jameis Winston to a 1 year, 11.25 million dollar deal in an attempt to provide a spark to an otherwise lackluster offense, and above all protect the football.

 

On their first drive of the game, the Bears drove methodically down the field with a good mix of the run and the pass. However the drive stalled after the Buccaneers defense strung together a couple of key sacks in a row, forcing the Bears to settle for a long field goal. On the ensuing Buccaneers drive, Tom Brady connected with Mike Evans on a 15 yard crossing route to put the Bucs up 6-3. A missed extra point kept the lead at a field goal.

 

The Bears answered with a 3 play touchdown drive capped with a 42 yard touchdown pass to Allen Robinson II, retaking the lead 10-9. From this point on, the Bears defense buckled down and played bend-don’t-break for the rest of the game, not allowing another point for the remainder of the contest. Sparked by their defense, the Bears went on to win the game 37-9.

 

The Buccaneers offense struggled through the air, with Tom Brady throwing 5 picks throughput the game. The Bears Roquan Smith was the recipient of 2 of those 5 picks, 1 of which was a pick six. A bright spot for the Buccaneers offense was their starting running back Ronald Jones II. Jones racked up 74 yards on 12 carries, and 30 yards on 2 receptions, breaking 100 all purpose yards for the game. The Bucs will look to continue their success on the ground and use it as the bedrock of their offense moving forward.

 

All eyes were on recently signed QB Jameis Winston the offensive side of the ball for the Bears. Winston put up modest numbers in the win, competing 11 of 18 passes for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. Most importantly, Winston was able to protect the football, only throwing 1 interception. Winston coughed up the ball on the goal line on an RPO QB keeper in the 3rd quarter, but luckily for the Bears an offensive lineman was able to recover in the end zone for a touchdown. 

 

The Bears will look to build on their goal of 3 phase complementary style football in weeks to come.