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NFL Betting Previews | Spooky Express
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NFL Betting Preview: Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

September 17, 2023



Chicago will be looking to bounce back from a week 1 loss at home against the Green Bay Packers by a score of 20-38 when the Bears travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who came away with a win in week 1 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 20-17. 

Will the Buccaneers start the season off 2-0 or will the Bears bounce back from their week 1 loss? Let’s take a deeper dive into how these teams are performing this season.

The Chicago Bears enter this game with a record of 0-1 following a 20-38 loss at home against the Green Bay Packers while failing to cover the 1.5-point spread as a home favorite in week 1 of the NFL season. Chicago scored 20 points while compiling 311 total yards offensively which included 216 passing yards and 122 rushing yards while allowing 38 points and 329 total yards defensively which included 245 passing yards and 92 rushing yards. 

Justin Fields led the team in passing, completing 24 of 37 attempts for 216 yards with one touchdown and an interception while also leading the team in rushing with 59 yards on nine carries. Darnell Mooney led the team in receiving, catching four of seven targets for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Tampa Bay is 1-0 this season following a 20-17 win on the road while covering the 4-point spread as a road underdog by winning outright in week 1 of the NFL season. The Buccaneers scored 20 points while compiling 242 total yards offensively which included 173 passing yards and 73 rushing yards while allowing 17 points and 369 total yards defensively which included 344 passing yards and 41 rushing yards. 

Baker Mayfield led the team in passing, completing 21 of 34 attempts for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Rachaad White led the team in rushing with 17 carries for 39 yards while adding two receptions for 10 yards. Mike Evans led the team in receiving, catching six of ten targets for 66 yards and a touchdown.

BookMaker has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers listed as 3-point favorites at home against the Chicago Bears on Sunday in week 2 of the NFL season. Chicago has won six of the last ten and two of the last three games in the series while going 2-1 ATS in the last three matchups. 

Chicago is 0-1 ATS overall this season while finishing last season with a record of 5-11-1 ATS overall, 2-6 ATS on the road, and 5-10 ATS as an underdog while the Tampa Buccaneers are 1-0 ATS this season after finishing last year with a record of 4-13-1 ATS overall, 1-7-1 ATS at home, and 4-9-1 ATS as a favorite.

Despite a loss at home in week 1 Chicago is still going to be an improved team this season and I look for the Bears to bounce back in week 2 on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by not only covering the spread but by winning outright as well which is why I am taking the money line for the Chicago Bears at +130 on BookMaker for this matchup in week 2 of the NFL season. 

Spooky Express Pick: Chicago Bears Money Line (+130)