Buccaneers vs Bears: Five game-changing players

Tarik Cohen

From one running back to another we go. Last year, Jordan Howard burst onto the scene. While he will still be a tough guy to stop on Sunday, the Bucs also have to keep a heavy focus on rookie back Tarik Cohen. Cohen was a huge reason for Chicago’s near upset of Atlanta last week. His versatility made him tough to stop, which means Tampa Bay will have to put an emphasis on keeping him in check. In addition to the Bucs focusing on the North Carolina A&T product, he will also be (spoiler alert) the focus of our staff roundtable this week.

In the Bears’ week one loss to the Falcons, Cohen was the most dynamic player on the field. He rushed just five times, but went for 66 yards (13.2 yards per carry). In the passing game, he led the way with eight catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. Chicago lost wide receiver Kevin White to injury, which cut down its already-suspect receiving corps. Realistically, the Bears will focus their game plan on Cohen and Howard. Mike Glennon isn’t a world-beater and his receivers aren’t anything special. That makes the two running backs the team’s biggest weapons on the offensive side of the ball.

Cohen is undersized, but it just doesn’t matter when his ability to make cuts is as good as it is. The Buccaneers will need their defense, especially the linebackers, to make sure they square up and make the tackles when they can. “The Human Joystick” will be dangerous in open space, so Tampa Bay needs its defense to fly around and swarm to him. Since he is one of the Bears’ only dangerous weapons, there is good news for the Bucs. If they can shut him down on Sunday, it could be a huge day for the defense.