Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
When the Bucs have the ball…
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The Bucs offense comes in at 28th, averaging 313.3 yards per game against a Bears defense that allows an average of 367.3 yards per game, good enough for a 19th ranking. The Bears are the worst scoring defense in the league allowing an AVERAGE of 29 PPG. Lovie Smith will be rolling over in his grave on the opposing sideline. But fear not Bears fans, Lovie hasn’t figured out his offensive deficiencies despite the change of address. Lovie offense ranks 25th in the league scoring 19.4 PPG.
Bucs Rush Offense (28th, 85.8 YPG) vs Bears Rush Defense (15th, 110.9 YPG)
The Bucs rushing attack is a mess. Doug Martin turned out to be less muscle and more hampster. They’ll rely on Bobby Rainey and Charles Sims to try to move the sticks. If you believe Lovie, the Bucs get off the bus running the ball, so the Bears defense had better be ready.
The Bears rush defense has improved dramatically this season, but they had nowhere to go but up after an abysmal 2013. Don’t expect much from the Bucs on the ground. Look for Lance Briggs to blow up a few plays in the backfield to make his old coach proud.
Bucs Pass Offense (19th, 227.5 YPG) vs Bears Pass Defense (25th, 256.4 YPG)
Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Evans. That’s all you need to know about the Bucs passing attack. The rookie wide receiver is tearing up the league. He had 7 catches for 209 yards last week. That’s an impressive 29.9 YPC. He IS the Bucs passing attack. Sure, they have Vincent Jackson on the other side and Austin Seferian-Jenkins at tight end, but if the Bears do nothing else, don’t let Mike Evans beat you. I’d have Kyle Fuller trailing him all day long.
The Bears need to pressure McCown who isn’t having nearly the kind of success in Tampa as he had under Trestman with the Bears last season. He’s got 6 TD’s and 6 INT’s, including a couple of pick-6’s. Wouldn’t it be nice to see Chris Conte or Tim Jennings taking one the other way on their old coach?
Here’s the full breakdown of the matchups.
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
2014 REGULAR SEASON
CHICAGO (NFL Rank) TAMPA BAY (NFL Rank)
21.5 (19th) . . . . . . Points Scored . . . . . 19.4 (25th)
360.8 (13th) . . . . . . . Total Offense . . . . .313.3 (28th)
101.3 (19th) . . . . . Rushing Offense . . . . 85.8 (28th)
259.5 (10th) . . . . . .Passing Offense . . . 227.5 (19th)
29.0 (32nd) . . . . . . Points Allowed . . . . . 27.9 (30th)
367.3 (19th) . . . . . . .Total Defense . . . . .384.3 (27th)
110.9 (15th) . . . . . Rushing Defense . . . .118.2 (22nd)
256.4 (25th) . . . . . Passing Defense . . . .266.1 (30th)
-6 (26th) . . . . . . . Turnover Ratio . . . . . . -5 (25th)