Last Updated on September 17, 2023 11:01 am by Anthony Rome
Bears vs. Bucs Prediction
The Bucs will look to improve to 2-0 on the NFL season when they host the 0-1 Bears at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday from Raymond James Stadium. Will Baker Mayfield lead Tampa Bay to a second straight victory as a small favorite or is there a better bet on the board?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
271 Chicago Bears (+2.5) at 272 Tampa Bay Bucs (-2.5); o/u 41
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 14, 2023
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
TV: FOX
Bears vs. Bucs Public Betting Information
Our NFL Public Betting Information page indicates that 65% of public bettors are currently backing the Bucs when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Chicago Bears DFS Spin
Justin Fields completed 24-of-37 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the Bears’ 38-20, Week 1 loss to the Packers. There was little continuity within the Bears’ offense in this one. Fields got off to a solid start, completing passes for 19 and 20-yard gains early, but things began to look eerily familiar as the game progressed. A handful of missed targets and scrambles to evade pressure had Fields and the Bears off rhythm for the majority of the game, and a pick-six early in the fourth quarter all but sealed the Bears’ fate. Fields did connect with Darnell Mooney on a nice 20-yard score, but the Bears ultimately saw themselves get outscored 28-14 in the second half. Fields’ rushing upside was on display in this one, as he led all Bears players with 59 yards on the ground. He’ll be low-end QB1 in Week 2 against the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay Bucs DFS Spin
Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (toe) will not play in Week 2 against the Bears. Davis was already trending in this direction after being held out of practice all week. The Buccaneers’ pass defense will need to find a way to limit Justin Fields and the Bears’ passing attack without Davis, although the Bears did plenty to slow their own offense last week against the Buccaneers. In addition to Davis, the Bucs also ruled out DL Calijah Kancey (calf) and LB SirVocea Dennis (hamstring).
Bears vs. Bucs Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chicago’s last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago
Tampa Bay is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games at home
Bears vs. Bucs Prediction:
Give me the Bucs. The Bears have lost 11 straight games dating back to last season, which is the longest streak in team history. During the streak, they have been outscored by 149 points (13.5 per game), with six losses by 16-plus and four by 20-plus points. Chicago has also lost four straight games on the road and Fields has lost nine straight games as a starter, which is the longest streak by a Bears’ QB in the Super Bowl area. It’s also the longest active streak in the NFL, with the next closest active streak being five by Ryan Tannehill. Mayfield’s teams are 10-23-1 ATS as a favorite over his career, but are 20-14 straight up.
NFL WEEK 2 PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY BUCS -2.5