Feels like a trap game, Bears need to dominate and go into the bye at 7-2.

TB didn't complete a pass and beat ATL 16-0 in a rainstorm. They beat CAR 43-13 the week prior to their defense is playing at a high level and they have a good running game. Their defense has not allowed over 23 pts since Week 1. So this team is better than their 3-5 record indicates. The Bears need to take care of business at home.

I don't think Johnson will allow a let down, Bears 30-17.

We need to go into the bye with another win. TB has turned into a running team. They ran for over 300 yards last week and won without Mayfield completing a single pass. If we let this game slip away, we lose the credibility we just gained. So, can we do it? Will we shut down their running backs and force Mayfield to throw? There are no excuses available. The defense needs to keep making a statement. We are the Monsters of the Midway!

4 hours ago, Pixote said:

We need to go into the bye with another win. TB has turned into a running team. They ran for over 300 yards last week and won without Mayfield completing a single pass. If we let this game slip away, we lose the credibility we just gained. So, can we do it? Will we shut down their running backs and force Mayfield to throw? There are no excuses available. The defense needs to keep making a statement. We are the Monsters of the Midway!

1 game at a time. Bucs have backs to the wall and are a well coached team with an elite defense and elite running game...plus Baker at QB who is more than serviceable. Bucs are going to try and make us make mistakes and bludgeon us....Bears got to stay focus and play sharp here.

We match up well against the Bucs.

Braxton Jones had knee surgery and is out for the season.

22 minutes ago, Pixote said:

Braxton Jones had knee surgery and is out for the season.

Bummer - he really is a solid swing tackle / player. Feel for him having these injuries.

2 hours ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Bummer - he really is a solid swing tackle / player. Feel for him having these injuries.

Wild to see his games played history. Once he got hurt the first time, he never seemed to be able to stay healthy again.

2022 - Started 17 games
2023 - Missed 6 games (Neck)
2024 - Missed 5 games (Knee)
2025 - Missed 11 games (Ankle)
2026 - Missed 5 games (Knee)

27 games missed in the last 3.5 years, basically half the games.

Carm and Jurko were talking about the game and made mention that the Bucs are #1 in DVOA, interceptions and rushing. Should be a good trench warfare test.

I'm guessing Monongai will not play to ensure availability after the bye. Demarco Jackson should be back this week.

On 11/5/2026 at 8:43 AM, Mongo3451 said:

I'm guessing Monongai will not play to ensure availability after the bye

Saw a report today that said both Monangai and Muhammad (CB) practiced (limited) and are currently listed a Questionable for Sunday. I would agree with you that even with this recent development they will probably hold both out with the bye following next week.

I find it hard to gauge what Tampa is as a team. I keep seeing all the talk of how great their defense is, and how elite their running game is. Not having seen any of their games I spent a little bit of time watching some highlights/condensed versions of their games: Pitt, Dal, GB.

Their RBs are ok but they are not anything to be nervous about in the way you think about Bijan or McCaffrey. Bucky is quick in his cuts not elite, but can be run down. Expect him to make Jaylon miss a tackle or two. Gainwell is barely above Roschon levels of elusiveness. Their Oline is good and similar but opposite to ours in that they are more left-handed running behind Wirfs. I wouldn't be surprised to see Simmons on that side on early downs and moving to the other side on passing downs. Their run blocking is good but again I'm watching highlights of games. What caught my attention is what I didn't see...very few explosive runs. That seems to indicate a lot of carries to offset the backup QB. Mayfield being back may open up the passing game which in turn might make them more explosive on runs. Overall my sense is that we can contain the run if we're just disciplined in our gaps and sound in setting the edge.

Their pass protection didn't look great in any game with pressure on almost every highlight throw.

Their defense looks good overall but to my eyes is not on the level of what I'd seen from Seattle in their games before we played them on MNF. Tampa can get pressure, even with 4, so that's a risk we must contain. They seem to be the most vulnerable on the edges and there were quite a few highlights of explosive runs against their front, or just big plays on screens/dumpoffs. In the second half of each game their opponents started hitting chunk passing plays in the intermediate range. I feel like that's where Ben and Caleb feast on defenses.

I don't think it will be an easy game but I also think we are the better team both on offense and defense (only now with Simmons).

13 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Their RBs are ok but they are not anything to be nervous about in the way you think about Bijan or McCaffrey. Bucky is quick in his cuts not elite, but can be run down. Expect him to make Jaylon miss a tackle or two. Gainwell is barely above Roschon levels of elusiveness

This game offensively will come down to Caleb most likely. Baker was 0/3 against Atlanta whereas Caleb had (I think) over 300 yards passing when they played them.

On the rushing side, the Bears got 98 yards rushing averaging 3.0 yards / carry with Swift and Roshon. The Bucs had 324 yards rushing averaging 5.8 yds / carry. To the Bears credit they did get into endzone more through rushing but no doubt this could be a rock em sock em robot game.