Through The Spyglass: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coming off a thrilling road win against the Minnesota Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now welcome in the Chicago Bears for the home opener in Week 2. In this weekly article, BucsGameday will preview the upcoming opponent. We’ll break down their prior season, the moves they’ve made this year, and the top players to watch on the offense and defense to give you insight into what to expect on game day.

Matchup History

The Buccaneers and Bears have a storied history from their time shared in the NFC Central conference playing each other a whopping 61 times. Chicago has gotten the better of the Bucs in those matchups with 40 wins. The two teams last played each other in 2021, with Tampa Bay blowing out the Bears 38-3. Fields threw three interceptions and was sacked four times on the day.

Looking Back At 2022

Like the Vikings, the Bears overhauled their team last season bringing in a new head coach and general manager after firing coach Matt Nagy and manager Ryan Pace. In their place were first-time head coach Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles. The results however weren't positive. After finishing 6-11 the season prior, Chicago fell to a dismal 3-14 in 2022.

The Bears moved on from pass rusher Khalil Mack prior to the season and jettisoned defensive pillars Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith in in-season deals. As Chicago started their rebuild they lost the most games in franchise history. The defense was abhorrent against the run finishing 31st and gave up more rushing scores and first downs than any other team.

There were some positives in Fields' development as a quarterback. Who ran for over 1,000 yards but was also sacked a league-high 55 times behind a porous line.

What's New In 2023

Armed with the first overall pick and a franchise quarterback in place, the Bears made a blockbuster trade that included multiple first-round selections and wide receiver D.J. Moore. The team used its first two draft selections to shore up weaknesses along the trenches in right tackle Darnell Wright and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter.

At linebacker, they brought in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards to pair with pass rushers Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker. They also drafted cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second round to pair with Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Eddie Jackson, and Jaquan Brisker in the secondary.

Top Players On Offense

Justin Fields

There's a lot riding on this season for Fields who is entering his third season with the franchise. While he's still developing as a passer, where Fields can really hurt you is with his legs. He led all rushers for the Bears with 59 yards on the ground and is a threat to take off at any time.

The Bucs will need to make sure they keep a spy on Fields at all times to ensure he doesn't beat them regularly with his legs.

Khalil Herbert

Herbert killed the Bucs the last time the two teams played in 2021. He racked up 100 yards on the ground to go with five receptions and another 33 yards through the air. Herbert had two explosive plays of 20 yards or more and with David Montgomery leaving in free agency is the lead back for the Bears.

The Bucs' run defense looked dominant in Sunday's victory against the Vikings, but will have their hands full with the combination of Fields, Herbert, Donta Foreman, and rookie Rochon Johnson.

D.J. Moore

The Bucs are no strangers to Moore who has regularly caused issues for the team from his time in Carolina. In 10 games against Tampa Bay, Moore has accumulated 58 receptions for 766 yards and three touchdowns. Good with the ball in his hands he routinely makes defenders miss but also has the ability to beat defenses deep as well with 27% of his career catches coming 20 yards down the field or more.

Sound tackling will be key for the Bucs when Moore gets the ball on quicker and shorter routes. While discipline in coverage will be important to make sure he isn't beating Bucs defenders deep.

Top Players On Defense

Eddie Jackson

Jackson is a solid presence in the Bears secondary. The former All-Pro has 14 career interceptions and is at his best playing the deep half of the field where he can utilize his playmaking skills. Where Jackson has struggled is the physicality of tackling missing 67 tackles in his seven-year career.

Baker will need to know where Jackson is at all times on Sunday. The veteran safety is adept at reading the quarterback's eyes and has the closing speed to break on the ball.

Tremaine Edmunds

Edmunds was the Bears big money signing this season landing a four-year $72 million deal. He's been a tackling machine for the Buffalo Bills the past few seasons. A down-hill linebacker, he is a force in the run game and has had over 100 tackles each year of his career. He's improved in coverage, but can still be a liability there at times.

Edmunds and fellow linebacker, and free agent acquisition, T.J. Edwards stymied the Packers' run game last Sunday holding them to just 92 yards. However, they allowed over 100 yards to running backs in the passing game.

Jaylon Johnson

Johnson is the Bears' top cornerback and is often tasked with shadowing the opposing team's top wide receiver. Johnson has the versatility to play in any style of coverage being zone or man and is physical at the line of scrimmage. He does a good job of shutting down opposing receivers with a high football IQ and tremendous route recognition ability.

Last week he put the clamps down on the Packers' defense allowing just one catch on four targets for only 13 yards. He'll be tasked with covering Mike Evans this week will present a challenge for the fourth-year cornerback.

Final Thoughts

This Bears team is still ways to go from being a true contender in the NFC. They have some pieces in place but will need time for the youth on the team to come together and that will take reps. Equipped to two first-round picks in next year's draft that figure to be in the top 10 or higher, Fields will need to prove he is a true franchise quarterback for Chicago for this season. If he can't, they will be back to the drawing board on how to bring Da Bears back to glory.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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