The Chicago Bears will battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, where Chicago is looking to win their fourth straight game ahead of their bye week.
The Bears are coming off a 34-17 statement win over the Seattle Seahawks, where Chicago's offense out-dueled the league's best defense in the Seahawks, becoming the first team to pass for 200 yards (247), the first team to score three rushing touchdowns (all D'Andre Swift) and they scored the most points (34) against the Seahawks this season. Meanwhile, Chicago's defense was rejuvenated with the addition of All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, whose presence opened things up for the rest of the defense, which totaled three sacks and intercepted Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter.
Can Chicago extend their win streak in the final of three consecutive prime-time games? The Bears have an opportunity to take the lead in the NFC North with a win and a Minnesota Vikings loss ahead of their bye week.
Bears vs. Bucs odds, money line, over/under
Bears vs. Bucs predictions, picks for Week 9
Alyssa Barbieri
Bears 31, Bucs 16: I'm expecting this game to be close in the first half before the Bears pull away in the second half, where the offense will control the clock and find a rhythm while Simmons and the defense makes things difficult on Mayfield and this Bucs offense. Assuming Chicago takes care of business, it will be their fourth straight win since Caleb Williams' return and they'll head into the bye week sitting at 7-2 (and perhaps, by week's end, sitting atop the NFC North).
Bold prediction: Bears hold Bucs under 120 rushing yards
Brendan Sugrue
Bears 26, Bucs 13: The Buccaneers aren’t as bad as their record indicates, but they’re not in the same class as the Bears right now. Chicago matches up well against this team on both sides of the ball and will come away with another double-digit win to go into the bye week at 7-2.
Bold prediction: Bears get a defensive touchdown
Mike Pendleton
Bears 42, Bucs 17: Chicago’s offense is rolling right now in the passing game, and while Ben Johnson has voiced displeasure in the run game, Tampa’s going to have their hands full. Caleb Williams should continue to roll in operating the offense, but this matchup also feels like it could be similar to Week 1, where the Bears ran up the score.
Bold prediction: Bears get 6 total sacks
Watch the Bears vs. Buccaneers game FREE on NBC
Vincent Parise
Bears 34, Bucs 20: The only thing that could hold the Bears back this week is taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lightly. Their record is not a true indicator of how good they can be. When Baker Mayfield is out there, he can make an impact. When Vita Vea is out there, he can make an impact. That team, who has been much better recently, must be taken as seriously as any opponent on the schedule. The Bucs will put up a fight. The Bears’ talent will just allow them to take over in the end. Expect them to pull away late
Bold prediction: Bucs are scary through three quarters, Bears pull away in fourth
Ariana Pensy
Bears 30, Bucs 14: The Chicago Bears have put up at least 30 points in every game since Caleb Williams has come back, including a 34-point performance against the Seattle Seahawks, who are supposedly one of the best defenses in the NFL. While Tampa Bay also has an incredibly talented defense, they will be outmatched by this Bears offense.
Bold prediction: Jeffery Simmons gets a strip-sack
Randy Holt
Bears 31, Bucs 13: Defensively, this is about stopping the run. The Bucs are in the bottom-third of the league in total offensive yards but enter this contest as the league’s top rushing team in total volume. They’re also coming off a game in which they did not complete a forward pass but ran for over 300. The addition of Simmons had an immediate impact in that respect. If the Bears can force Tampa’s offense into having to throw the ball, they should be just fine.
Bold prediction: Rome Odunze crosses the 100-yard threshold
Bears-Bucs injury reports
Bears vs. Bucs time, TV channel today
- Kickoff time: 7:15 p.m. CT
- TV Channel: NBC
- How to watch online: Peacock
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Bucs predictions, picks, odds: Who wins Week 9 NFL game?
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