(670 The Score) The Bears (0-1) visit the Buccaneers (1-0) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, with kickoff set for noon CT.
Our 670 The Score pregame show with David Haugh, Olin Kreutz and Patrick Mannelly will start at 9 a.m. and run until noon. Our postgame show with Haugh, Kreutz and Mannelly will start after the final buzzer of the Bears game. Listen to our live stream here.
You can check out all of 670’s preview coverage of the Bears-Buccaneers matchup by clicking here. Below are game predictions from our 670 hosts, producers and writers.
David Haugh (0-1): Bears 28, Buccaneers 27
Urgency is the only reason to pick the Bears, but that argument is more compelling than convincing. The Bears simply can’t lose because, if they do, they’re staring at an 0-3 start with the Chiefs looming in Week 3 and another season over before it really starts. It all hinges on Justin Fields focusing more on making plays than on not making mistakes.
Danny Parkins (0-1): Bears 24, Buccaneers 20
I don’t think the Bucs can run on the Bears, as they’ve been the worst rushing team in football dating back to last year. I actually think the Bears show some resilience here and get their first win since last October.
Matt Spiegel (0-1): Buccaneers 27, Bears 20
I'm afraid that Baker Mayfield is morphing into the Ryan Fitzpatrick of this generation – he’s going to be decent everywhere he goes as a consolation quarterback. Fields looks better, but his renewed aggression leads to multiple interceptions, which we'll all just have to live with.
Gabe Ramirez (0-1): Bears 20, Buccaneers 13
Just to be clear, my record in these season-long picks will mirror the record of the Bears. With that in mind, try to read between the lines to find confidence or concern level. The Bears, as men, have to have a bounceback game, right? One in which they perform at a higher level with better execution, right? If so, the Bears secondary, even without Kyler Gordon, should take advantage of Mayfield’s gunslinging ways. If turnovers equal points, then the motivated Bears should be in good shape.
Chris Tannehill (1-0): Buccaneers 27, Bears 20
One thing I can confidently say about this game Sunday is that we’ll know a lot more about the 2023 Bears once it ends. Do they respond or continue their spiral? I look at Tampa’s defensive scheme under Todd Bowles, and I think it’ll create some real problems for a Chicago offensive line that’s in disarray trying to protect a tentative quarterback. It’s already a must-win for Chicago heading into a Week 3 game at Kansas City, but I don’t think the Bears pull this one out.
Shane Riordan (0-1): Bears 34, Buccaneers 31
The Bears that forgot how to play football against the Packers aren't the Bears that will remember how to play football in Tampa Bay. Everyone knows I'm a MASSIVE Baker Mayfield guy (well-documented), but I quite literally won't survive another week of Danny being sad about a Bears loss, so I have no choice but to will them to victory. DJ Moore will be targeted 14 times for 13 catches and two touchdowns.
Adam Studzinski (0-1): Bears 25, Buccaneers 20
I'm operating off blind faith that the Bears know they can't come out and play like they did against the Packers. They get their **** together this week against a beatable team.
Chris Emma (0-1): Buccaneers 24, Bears 20
After an ugly loss in their season opener, the Bears see an opportunity to bounce back Sunday. I don't see it happening against a feisty Buccaneers team.
Evan Thomas (1-0): Buccaneers 31, Bears 21
Oooh yeah!
Kevin Lapka (0-1): Bears 27, Buccaneers 24
It would be unexplainable if the Bears didn’t come out for Week 2 against the Buccaneers with maximum urgency. Luke Getsy’s small sample size with the Bears has been inconsistent, but it has also featured adaptation that led to offensive success a year ago. I expect the Bears to flip their game plan entirely and utilize a vertical passing attack to exploit a Buccaneers pass defense that through one week ranks 30th in pass yards allowed and 31st in pass completions allowed.