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Bears vs Buccaneers Week 2 Prediction & Picks: Tampa Bay Holds the Fort
Written by: Devon Platana
Last Updated:
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season is here, bringing more football action and betting opportunities to the table. One intriguing matchup on Sunday pits the Chicago Bears one-on-one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium for a 1 p.m. ET showdown.
The Bears look to avoid a 0-2 record after their lopsided 38-20 loss to the rival Green Bay Packers last week. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers seek their second straight win after pulling off the 20-17 upset over the Minnesota Vikings.
Can the Bears prove that they’re better than their opening-week effort implied? Or will the Buccaneers prevail in their 2023 home opener?
This Bears vs. Buccaneers betting preview will attempt to answer those questions. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride as we take a look at the latest game odds, plus my prediction and betting picks for the Week 2 afternoon contest.
Bears vs Buccaneers — NFL Week 2
CHI vs. TB Game Information
- Matchup: Chicago Bears (0-1, 0-0 Away) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0, 0-0 Home)
- Venue & Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023
- Game Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Time
- Where to Watch Bears vs. Buccaneers Week 2: FOX
Bears vs Buccaneers Odds
NFL game odds courtesy of Bovada as of Sunday, Sept. 17 at 12:02 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.
Spread
- Chicago Bears +2.5 (-105)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under
- Over 40.5 Points (-110)
- Under 40.5 Points (-110)
Moneyline
- Chicago Bears +120
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -140
Bears vs Buccaneers Betting Trends
- Chicago is 0-10 straight up in its last 10 games.
- Tampa Bay is 9-3 straight up in its last 12 games against Chicago.
- Chicago is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games against the NFC.
- Tampa Bay is 6-0 ATS in its last six Week 2 matchups.
- The total has hit the under in nine of Chicago’s last 12 games.
- The total has hit the under in seven of Tampa Bay’s last eight games against the NFC North.
Bears vs Buccaneers Week 2 Preview
Bears fans’ hope in their team evaporated quickly following last week’s blowout to the Packers. Chicago has now lost 10 consecutive games dating back to the 2022 campaign, leaving Matt Eberflus’ team desperate for a win on the road.
The Bears had many issues last week, including their inability to convert when it mattered the most. They went an abysmal 3-of-13 (23.1%) on third downs while allowing the Packers to convert on 9-of-16 (56.3%) attempts.
In fact, Chicago’s defense was lacking overall. The unit surrendered 329 total yards and four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) and couldn’t even generate a turnover. Meanwhile, the Bears’ attack gave the ball away.
Meanwhile, the Bucs displayed a solid defensive effort against the Vikings, holding the latter to just 41 rushing yards while tallying two fumble recoveries with an interception.
Even though the Buccaneers did allow 344 passing yards in Week 1, I don’t know if Justin Fields can capitalize on the home team’s weak secondary.
After all, Fields didn’t look amazing last week, passing for 216 yards while throwing a touchdown and interception apiece. His 9.0 yards per completion was down from last year (11.7) and he was even sacked four times.
It’s also likely that the Bears QB will face a lot of heat this weekend. The Buccaneers were all over Kirk Cousins in Week 1, tallying 21 blitzes (No. 1 in the NFL), 13 pressures (No. 8), seven QB knockdowns (T-No. 7), and four hurries (T-No. 9). Given how mistake-prone Fields can be, it could end up being a rough night for Chicago’s attack.
At the end of the day, the Buccaneers’ chances of victory could come down to Baker Mayfield. The veteran signal-caller only needed to throw for 173 yards and two TDs to win last week, making it interesting to see if his team can prevail with another minimalist performance.
Bears vs Buccaneers Week 2 Prediction
Bears vs Buccaneers Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Bears 17
There wasn’t much to be impressed by in the Bears’ Week 1 loss. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers put forth a solid road effort and won a game that many predicted they’d lose. I see Tampa Bay capitalizing on that momentum at home, improving to a 2-0 start
Bears vs Buccaneers Week 2 Best Bets
Buccaneers -2.5 (Best Value: -115 on Bovada )
Covering the spread shouldn’t be an issue for the Bucs, who are an impressive 6-0 ATS in their last six Week 2 outings. On the other hand, the Bears are 1-8 ATS In their nine previous outings and are coming off an 18-point loss. Winning by at least four points won’t be an issue for Tampa Bay.
Chris Godwin Any Time Touchdown (+185)
I won’t be surprised if Chris Godwin finds the end zone on Sunday. The Buccaneers wideout has been solid at home, turning 54 catches into 533 yards and two touchdowns in his last seven outings at Raymond James Stadium.
After the Bears let WR Romeo Doubs score a pair of TDs last week, Godwin has a great chance to find paydirt in Week 2.
Bears vs Buccaneers Week 2 FAQ
When is CHI vs. TB?
- The Bears and Buccaneers will collide on Sunday, September 17, 2023.
Where is CHI vs. TB?
- The Bears and Buccaneers will play each other at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
What time does CHI vs. TB start?
- Kickoff for the upcoming CHI vs. TB matchup is slated for 1 p.m. ET.
How can I watch CHI vs. TB?
- Bears and Buccaneers fans can tune in to FOX for Sunday’s matchup.
How can I bet on CHI vs. TB?
All of the top online sports betting sites will have NFL odds, but here are some of the sites we recommend most for football enthusiasts.
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Devon is a Master of Journalism graduate who joined the sports betting world in 2020. His favorite leagues to cover are the NHL, NBA and NFL, and has a soft spot for fantasy football specifically. Outside of sports, he enjoys the finer things in life like pasta, live music and getting even more tattoos.
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