Bears: 3 Buccaneers the team must be ready to face off against
Two teams that started off the season with two totally different outcomes makes for one exciting Week 2 matchup as the Chicago Bears (0-1) will travel down south on Sunday to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0). Chicago started off a promising season in disappointing fashion last week, while the Buccaneers avoided the tanking allegations […]
Two teams that started off the season with two totally different outcomes makes for one exciting Week 2 matchup as the Chicago Bears (0-1) will travel down south on Sunday to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0).
Chicago started off a promising season in disappointing fashion last week, while the Buccaneers avoided the tanking allegations by upsetting the 2022 NFC North champions on the road.
Ahead of the Week 2 showdown, here are three players the Bears need to be ready to face on Sunday.
1. WR Mike Evans
This one should come as a given. Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has a chip on his shoulder this year in what is expected to be a prove-it season. And he showed up in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Evans hauled in six passes for 66 yards and scored on a nearly wide open 28-yard touchdown from quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Bears have seen plenty of those in the past. The last time the two sides faced off was in Week 7 of 2021, where quarterback Tom Brady shredded the Bears defense. Evans finished the game with six receptions for 76 yards and a whopping three touchdowns.
The good news is, the Bears won't be preparing against the GOAT under center this time. The bad news, Evans still looks to be just as dominate even with his new quarterback throwing the ball.
Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and rookie Tyrique Stevenson will have their hands full on Sunday covering both Evans and fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin without much depth at the position to help them out.
2. LB Devin White
Another Buccaneer looking to cash in on a big contract next year that had an impressive Week 1 was linebacker Devin White. White's seven total tackles against the Vikings led the team while he roamed sideline-to-sideline all game long.
If Chicago wants to game plan against White on Sunday, the Bears offense will be forced to stretch the field. Against the Packers last weekend, 34 of quarterback Justin Fields' 37 passes were thrown less than 10 yards down the field. That includes 14 passes that were thrown at or behind the line of scrimmage, according to Next Gen Stats.
That type of passing output will be swallowed up immediately by a player like White. If the Bears want to beat a horizontal weapon such as the former Pro Bowler, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will have to take his offense vertically.
3. NT Vita Vea
Nose tackle and big man in the middle Vita Vea looks primed to be another headache the Bears' offense will be lining up against this weekend.
Week 1 was a clear sign for Chicago that the offensive line is in a state of disorganization. The loss of offensive tackle Teven Jenkins hurt the Bears in more ways than they were expecting in regards to the communication up-front.
To make matters worse for the unit, guard Nate Davis was added to the injury report on Saturday and is doubtful to play against the Buccaneers due to personal reasons. This puts yet another thorn into the side of the team's protection.
In Week 1, the Bears' interior offensive line was embarrassed by the Packers. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt ranked third in the league in quarterback pressures with six and even added 1.5 sacks.
Vea is a much more seasoned pro than the Packers second-year defensive lineman. With first-round pick Calijah Kancey ruled out for the Buccaneers, Vea will have to step up even more than usual on Sunday.
If the Buccaneers leader up-front is able to consistently disrupt the line of scrimmage and create pressure in the pocket, it's going to be a long day for Fields and the rest of the Bears' offense.
Final Bears injury report for Week 2 vs Buccaneers
Depth in the secondary looks to be tested on Sunday
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