The Chicago Bears will face another talented defense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football.
Despite their 3-5 record, head coach Todd Bowles has led the Buccaneers to have one of the best defenses in the NFL as a top-10 run defense and pass defense. As head coach Ben Johnson was studying the tape on Bowles’ defense, there was one word that jumped to mind.
“Chaos," Johnson said. "I think that’s what stands out. I think he’s always defended the run really well, and whenever you play single high to the rate that he does, it’s different than what we’ve seen earlier this year. A lot of these teams were playing shell and two high, and he’s predominantly single high, and I think that always gives you an extra defender in the box that you’ve
got to account for. So schematically, it’s very challenging to run the ball, and then when you have the talent on the defensive line and in the linebacker crew that they have, those are tough yards to come by.”
Johnson was able to get after Seattle’s run defense as running back D’Andre Swift had three rushing touchdowns for the second time this season. However, the Buccaneers also pose a challenge in the pass game. They lead the league in takeaways with 16, including eight in the past two games.
“When [Bowles] gets you off schedule in those obvious passing situations, whether it’s second and long or third down, that’s where he draws up all these exotics and creates a lot of issues for the quarterback,” Johnson said. “I think the linebackers are doing a great job just sniffing out pass concepts and understanding what windows to be in. He mixes up man and zone and I think [Buccaneers S] Antoine Winfield [Jr.], he’s a ball hawk back there. And then when he comes down, he’ll light you up as well in the running game. So it’s a good mix of talent, and then the scheme certainly is coming from all angles, so you try to be as sound as you possibly can.”
If Chicago wins against the Buccaneers, it will be their fourth straight win of the season. They also have the chance to take over the NFC North if the Minnesota Vikings lose on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears HC Ben Johnson described the Bucs' defense in one word
