The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Chicago Bears in this Week 7 matchup. The game will be televised on CBS. Check your local listings. It’s a home game for the Bucs at Raymond James stadium. I want to thank the best fans in sports, the Bucs fans, for creating a home-field advantage.
Teams that visit Raymond James can find themselves gassed, tired, cramping, and out of energy by the second half. Bucs fans are passionate, intelligent football fans. Opposing offenses may have to use a silent count, as the fans know when to ramp up the noise factor. The jerseys, team shirts, and pirate costumes already make Bucs fans the coolest fan base in the NFL. I hope the fans will keep it up, and continue one of the best home-field advantages in the NFL. Heading into week seven, the Bucs are undefeated at home!
This will be the first Bucs home game since former Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden was removed from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ring of honor. The Buccaneers organization made the decision after controversial emails written by Gruden were revealed during the ongoing investigation into the Washington Football Team. Gruden had a record of 57 wins and 55 losses in his six seasons as head coach in Tampa Bay. Jon Gruden was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2002 team that won Super Bowl 37.
The Chicago Bears come into today’s game with a three-win, three-loss record. The Bears defense is allowing an average of 20.7 points per game, and the offense is averaging 16.3 points per game. These are just averages. The Bears defense is filled with playmakers and creates QB pressure. The Bucs will need to get the ball out quick, especially if Mack is cleared to play, and balance the offensive attack with the running game.
I want to see “thunder and lightning “take the Bucs over 100 yards in rushing and put points on the scoreboard. The Bucs need to attack but remain balanced to achieve success against the tough Chicago defense.
I trust Coach Bowles to have another solid game plan for the rookie quarterback Justin Fields and the Bears offense. Stopping the Chicago run game should be a big priority. With a lead, the Buccaneers can focus on pressuring quarterback Justin Fields. Fields leads the Bears in passing yards and have thrown two touchdowns and three interceptions. Chicago can score points, and move the ball down the field with a balance of runs, passes.
Linebacker Levonte David and defensive back Richard Sherman have been ruled out for this game. Key players on the Bucs secondary are still on injured reserve. Thoughts and prayers to all injured NFL personnel. Hopefully, everyone will make a 100 percent recovery. I was hopeful that more Bucs defenders could return after the “mini-bye” week. Getting healthy is the number one priority. Next man up. Enjoy the game! Go Bucs!