Pat Yasinskas, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Prediction: Buccaneers will beat Bears

I'm going to say the Buccaneers go on a roll. Everything is relative, but a two-game winning streak would qualify as a roll for the Bucs.

Coach Lovie Smith has said all along that once things started clicking, the team would win regularly. Things started clicking in the victory at Washington. Tampa Bay finally played what Smith likes to call Buc ball, which is made up of an aggressive and opportunistic defense and an efficient offense.

But the Bucs were more than just efficient on offense. They were dynamic with rookie wide receiver Mike Evans catching seven passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. It marked the third straight week Evans had at least 100 receiving yards and at least one touchdown.

That’s why I’m taking the Bucs in this one. Chicago’s defense ranks No. 15 against the pass. Maybe the Bears can find a way to slow Evans. But if they devote too much attention to Evans, they’re going to get burned by Vincent Jackson. In his last game against Chicago (while playing for San Diego in 2011), Jackson had seven catches for 165 yards and a touchdown.

My prediction: Bucs 24, Bears 20

^ Back to Top ^