Chicago Bears GameDay: 4 Keys to victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Chicago Bears need to shutdown Mike Evans and Chris Godwin

This offseason, Baker Mayfield stepped in and became Tampa Bay's new starting quarterback following the retirement of Tom Brady. In Week 1, the former first-overall pick completed an odd accomplishment, starting for his fourth team in three seasons. However, Mayfield proved against Minnesota that he still has a lot in the tank, and he finished the game with a clean stat sheet to the tune of 173 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

Mayfield was able to find rookie receiver Trey Palmer for a touchdown to cap off a 16-play, 75-yard drive to start the second half, but the majority of his production came at the hands of star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. In their season debut, the two receivers combined for 11 catches, 117 yards, and a touchdown, accounting for over half of Mayfield's completions and nearly 68% of his passing yards.

Unfortunately for the Chicago Bears defense, the task of covering these two explosive targets will be more difficult without Kyler Gordon, who was placed on injury reserve earlier in the week and will be inactive for at least the next four games.

Alongside Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, rookie fifth-round pick Terrell Smith seems to be in line for an increase in playing time with Gordon out, but it will be a group effort to limit Mayfield's best targets. If the Bears want to win, it will be crucial to force other players to receive the majority of attention, and not one of the league's most veteran wide receiver tandems.