Bears at Buccaneers: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler | Nov 10, 2016

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Week 10. Here is the game preview, the betting odds, and a final score prediction.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon in Week 10. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. FOX will have the telecast.

Chicago is 2-6 on the season, coming off its bye in Week 9. The Bears got their second win of the season by beating the rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 8. Chicago has to win this game to stay alive in the NFC Playoffs race.

Tampa Bay fell to 3-5 on the year by losing at home to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football in Week 9. The Buccaneers are still winless at home this season. It’s not necessarily a must-win game for Tampa Bay to have staying power in the NFC Playoffs race, but a 3-6 record through 10 weeks is anything but good.

Odds

Point Spread: Tampa Bay -1.5
Moneylines: Chicago -125, Tampa Bay +105
Over/Under: 45

According to OddsShark.com, the Buccaneers will be laying 1.5 points at home to the visiting Bears. The associated money lines are Chicago -125 and Tampa Bay +105. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 45 points.

Here are the trends to know with the regards to the Bears: 1.) The Bears are 2-7 against the spread and straight up in their last nine games. 2.) Chicago has gone under in four of its last five games. 3.) The Bears are 1-5 against the spread and straight up in their last six road games.

Here are the trends to know with regards to the Buccaneers: 1.) Tampa Bay is 3-9 straight up and against the spread in its last 12 games. 2.) The Buccaneers have gone over in eight of their last 11 games. 3.) They have gone 0-5 straight up and against the spread in their last five home games.

So Jay Cutler gave an inspired pre-game speech to the Bears before beating the Vikings on Monday Night Football two weeks ago? Yes, the Vikings have fallen off a cliff, but could we be seeing a re-energized Cutler in the second half?

The best way for the Bears to shock the Buccaneers is to play a strong defensive game and minimize turnovers. Until it happens, it’s not wise to pick Tampa Bay in any home games they play. That has to be compounding to the Buccaneers’ detriment in some way.

It’ll be a close one at Raymond James Stadium, but a bad late fourth quarter Jameis Winston interception and a missed Roberto Aguayo kick will give the Bears this one in an upset.

Pick: Bears 24, Buccaneers 23

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