Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
When: Sunday, September 17, 2017, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bears (+7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7); total: 43.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
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Betting on the Chicago Bears (0-1)
As many had expected, the Chicago Bears lost their season opener at home to the Atlanta Falcons, 23-17.
On the other hand, the Bears actually looked competent against the reigning NFC champs. Mike Glennon was rather efficient throwing the ball on Sunday, completing 26 of his 40 passes for 213 yards without getting picked off.
Chicago’s running game didn’t look bad either, with the team racking up 125 rushing yards on just 19 carries. Rookie running back Tarik Cohen had 66 rushing yards on just five carries and even outplayed starter Jordan Howard (13 carries for 52 yards and a score) to an extent.
Unfortunately for the Bears, who are already missing top wide receiver Cameron Meredith for the entire season with a torn ACL, they’re about to have one less weapon downfield with Kevin White now out for the season as well with a broken collarbone. That’s not comforting news heading into Week 2’s road contest against Tampa Bay.
Considering that Chicago lost all eight of its road games last season (2-6 ATS), the team is bound to regress this coming Sunday following a spirited effort on Opening Week. Do note that the Bears scored just 20 or more points in just one of those eight games away from the Windy City.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)
Hurricane Irma prevented the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from joining the rest of the league in Week 1’s festivities, which means they’re more than amped up to officially kick their season off in Week 2.
The Bucs had middle-of-the-road performances on both sides of the ball in 2016, but there’s reason for optimism that they’ll improve on their nine-win campaign this time around. They now boast a speedy wideout pairing in Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson for Jameis Winston to throw to, and will also receive a boost in the running game when Doug Martin returns from his three-game suspension to start the season.
Even without Martin in the backfield just yet, Tampa Bay’s defense is decent enough to contain the Bears in Week 2. The team’s D flew under a lot of people’s radars last year, finishing in the top 10 of the NFL in sacks (38; tied for 10th) and interceptions (17; tied for second-most in the league).
The Buccaneers won their last four home games to close out previous season (3-1 ATS), and that should help their chances of starting the new season on the right foot, especially with the Bears’ road woes thrown into the equation.
Writer’s Prediction
Tampa Bay (-7) with a convincing 33-19 win over Chicago.
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