Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds, Picks & Predictions for 09/17

How to Watch Bears vs. Buccaneers  

• Date: Sunday, September 17, 2023
• Kick Off: 1:00 PM ET
• Location: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL 
• Where to Watch: FOX 

The Bears’ defense fell apart in Week 1. Chicago yielded 28 second-half points and it looked like the Packers are scoring at will. On the other side of the ball, Justin Fields completed 24 of his 37 passing attempts, throwing for 216 yards and a touchdown. Fields also had nine carries for 59 yards, but he also lost a fumble and threw a costly interception that Quay Walker returned to the house. 

Chicago is now winless in 11 straight games. The Bears are 1-8 ATS in their previous nine outings at any location and 2-7 ATS in their last nine showings on the road. Five of their last six road tilts have gone over the total. 

• Key Players Missing: DB Josh Blackwell (questionable, hamstring), DB Kyler Gordin (questionable, hand), LB Dylan Cole (questionable, hamstring)  

The Buccaneers upset the Vikings as 4-point road dogs in Week 1. Tampa Bay was outgained 369-242 in total yards, but the Bucs played excellent defense in the red zone and held the Vikings to seven second-half points. Baker Mayfield threw for 173 yards and a couple of touchdowns in his debut in the Bucs uniform, while Mike Evans had six catches for 66 yards and a TD. 

Tampa Bay is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games overall and 2-8-1 ATS in its last 11 outings at Raymond James Stadium. Interestingly, the Buccaneers have beaten the number in six consecutive outings in Week 2, so I’m looking at Tampa Bay -2.5 ATS (-110) at BetMGM as one of my Bears vs. Buccaneers NFL picks. 

• Key Players Missing: CB Carlton Davis III (questionable, toe), DL Calijah Kancey (questionable, calf) 

The Bears were dead last in the NFL in points allowed per game last season (27.2). Given their Week 1 display against the Packers, I would be surprised if Chicago put on a strong defensive performance against the Bucs. Hereof, I’m taking Tampa Bay and the over on the totals as my best Bears vs. Buccaneers bets. Finally, there’s a player prop among my Bears vs. Buccaneers NFL picks. 

⭐ NFL Pick 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 (-110) at BetMGM

I’m expecting to see a tight battle in Tampa. The Bears will keep it close, but Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin will make a difference down the stretch. Mayfield loves to play in the crunch time, and the Bucs’ defensive unit is also capable of making a big play. 

⭐ NFL Pick 2: Over 41.0 total points (-110) at Caesars

The Bears will struggle to contain the Bucs’ passing offense. Chicago was giving up 8.5 yards per pass in Week 1, and the Buccaneers will exploit the Bears’ passing defense all day long. The Bears don’t have enough weapons to contain the Bucs’ receiving corps. On the other side, the Bucs’ D will have to deal with Justin Fields and Chicago’s ground game which is a completely different task than the one they had against the Vikings. 

⭐ NFL Player Prop: Mike Evans to score a TD (-105) at FanDuel

Mike Evans is a go-to guy in the red zone. There are a few guys in the league who can contain the 6-foot-5 wideout, and none of them is playing for the Bears, who gave up three TD passes in Week 1. Evans started the 2023 season on the right foot after scoring just six touchdowns in 2022, and I’m expecting to see another strong performance in Week 2. 

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