After consecutive wins against teams that appeared in last year's Super Bowl, the Chicago Bears now turn their attention to another primetime game against a team whose record doesn't quite stack up against their previous pair of opponents. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter Soldier Field on Sunday night with a record of just 3-5, but there is a trap game component to this matchup.
Despite their record, the Bucs feature, at present, the league's best run game and a defense that generally sits in the top one-third of the league in a number of categories. It is, though, a bit perplexing as to how they're doing it. Tampa Bay doesn't feature well in their Pro Football Focus grades nor do they create a ton of pressure that has allowed them to stifle
opposing offenses in the way that they have. Yet, they show well against their league counterparts in various statistical rankings and sit atop the league in turnovers created. That adds a layer to the idea that this matchup isn't as simple as the teams' records might indicate.
With the bye on the other side of this one, the Bears will have to stave off some of the hype gaining traction nationwide and avoid a let down in order to carry their recent momentum into the break. Let's talk about some essential matchups that could feature in this one.
Bears Defensive Line vs. Buccaneers Run Game
It may read as a bit of a cop-out to suggest one phase of a roster is a key matchup against another phase considering that's generally how the sport works. In the case of this game, though, it's a generalization that makes sense. The Bears feature a new-look defensive line led by Jeffery Simmons. His presence in the middle of the defensive line combined with the personnel the Bears already possess and a renewed energy to hold the Seahawks to just 81 yards rushing on 19 attempts on Monday night. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is coming off a 324-yard effort against the Falcons in sloppy conditions.
What is notable about this particular matchup lies in where the Bucs have experienced their resounding success on the ground this year. Much of their success has come on the outside or running toward their two tackles, each of which sit inside of PFF's top 20 of 69 at the position. They've also experienced success in running directly up in the middle despite their interior lineman sitting far lower in their respective position grade. This all means a couple of things.
For one, Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and the rotational guys on the edge are going to have to work to set it and keep things in the middle. For another, the Buccaneers are going to have to put an extra focus into that interior to account for Simmons' presence in a way that could allow the Bears' edges to do just that. Simmons' presence shifts the dynamic, but the line is going to have to be as active as they were on Monday to stifle an elite rushing attack.
Bears TE Colston Loveland vs. Buccaneers LB Alex Anzalone
As the Bears continue to wait for the 2026 breakout from Colston Loveland, there's at least an outside shot it could come against one of the more active linebackers in the league. Anzalone ranks 12th in the league in coverage snaps and is coming off a two interception effort against Atlanta last weekend, with three total on the season.
However, he also ranks 76th overall of 76 qualifying backers in PFF's rankings and ranks 67th in coverage. As active as Anzalone has been in the pass game, Loveland's physical tools have the ability to play a big role as the two line up opposite one another. There's a real chance for Loveland to make some headway in getting his season on track despite a couple of the standout performances Anzalone has had.
Bears WR Rome Odunze vs. Buccaneers CB Jacob Parrish
It'd be easy to put Luther Burden III here, as he's emerged as the Bears' de facto no. 1 receiver. Burden is certainly likely to spend at least a little bit of time lined up against the Bucs' top defensive back in Parrish. However, as Parrish resides almost exclusively on the outside and Burden's lined up 100 times on the outside against 99 times in the slot, it feels more likely that we'll see Odunze take on the league's fifth-rated corner at a bit higher of a rate.
Odunze has felt the last couple of weeks like he's on the cusp of a breakout. The four receptions and 87 yards he had against Seattle on Monday represented his second-best output of the year and followed a four-reception, 68-yard effort against New England. Going up against another stout run defensive in Tampa Bay, the Caleb Williams-to-Rome Odunze is going to have to look similar to what it did against Seattle. Considering Parrish's status as both PFF's fifth-ranked corner and his 13 passes defended, it isn't going to be easy.
Bears QB Caleb Williams vs. Buccaneers' Second & Third Levels
On paper, there isn't a whole lot that reads as super impressive about the Bucs' defense. They're upper tier in yards allowed, but they don't generate a ton of pressure and are middle-of-the-road in the separation they allow from opposing receivers. What they do present, however, is one of the league's higher blitz rates (41.2 percent), a quick time to creating pressure on those occasions that they do, and more interceptions than any other team in the NFL (12).
As such, there is going to be a certain onus on Caleb Williams to continue playing smart with the ball. The Buccaneers are primarily locked into zone coverage in a familiar-to-Bears-fans predominantly Tampa 2 scheme, but are active in mixing up those actual coverage looks. There's a reason they've been able to drive up opposing turnovers despite the underlying numbers not looking all that impressive. We have no reason to think that Williams wouldn't be capable of combating the trend, but with the potential for a bit more time with which to operate, it's an imperative nonetheless.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 3 key matchups to watch in Bears' Sunday night game vs. Bucs
