In Week 8, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shut out their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, 16-0 at home thanks to a dominating run game where they had two running backs top 100 yards in the same contest for just the second time this season. Who else accomplished such a feat? None other than your Chicago Bears in Week 1, of course! However, that was back when Kyle Monangai was active, and both he and D'Andre Swift were 100%. Since Monangai's injury in Week 4, Swift has had to shoulder the load on his own and has carried the ball a whopping 49 times combined the last two weeks.
Let's just say he is ready for the BYE week after this one.
That said, his ability to grind out tough yards and especially find the endzone – including his league leading 10th rushing TD in week 8 – have kept this Chicago offense on schedule and opposing defenses off-balance. Since Caleb has returned, the Chicago offense has been humming and has averaged 345 yards and 31.6 points per game.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has won 3 of their last 4 games and the defense has averaged 13.75 points allowed in that span. With Vita Vea leading the charge up front, Tampa is the third-best run defense in the entire league while leading the league in interceptions. On offense, Tampa has been without starting QB Baker Mayfield and starting WR Emeka Egbuka for 3 games but has been able to put up yards and points thanks to their two-headed monster at running back. The Bucs are second in the NFL in rushing attempts and rushing yards.
With the addition of Jeffery Simmons, PFN's highest graded defender in the league at this point , Chicago looks to continue rolling at home and aims to shut down the Buccaneers' rushing attack. But whether or not they can do so is an entirely different matter.
Our friends at FanDuel Sportsbook currently have the Bears as 2.5-point favorites for this week's contest in Chicago. If you think the Bears will win outright, the moneyline is at -290, with the point total over/under at 47.5.
I am predicting a second consecutive 34-17 Bears win, with D'Andre Swift hitting the OVER on his 65.5 yard yards rushing and Bucky Irving to make good on his +105 anytime TD scorer. Also be on the lookout for a Tez Johnson for a reception of greater than 30 yards!
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