Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers Cover?

Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers Cover?

Two teams with low expectations in 2023 will face off in the Sunshine State during the Week 2 NFL slate, as Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears travel to face Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield and the Bucs pulled off a shocking road win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, with Mayfield tossing two touchdowns and pulling off an impressive stiff arm on an RPO.

Justin Fields and his wide receiving corps were largely underwhelming in Week 1 against the Packers, losing by 18 points as home favorites against a Green Bay team in its first year led by quarterback Jordan Love. Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy's playcalling is already in question, while the defense got picked apart, setting up for an 0-2 start if the Bears cannot pull off the road win in Tampa Bay.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bucs favored by 2.5 points ATS at home during their first game at Raymond James Stadium this season. Tampa Bay's defense was stout, especially after watching Kirk Cousins and the Vikings record four passing touchdowns against the Eagles after getting stifled by the Bucs' defense at home in Week 1. Fields needs as much help as he can get as a passer, but Tampa Bay's defense could be a matchup nightmare for the Bears' third-year quarterback on Sunday.

NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is here with his latest analysis, including the best bet to place in this NFC interdivisional matchup between the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Bears vs. Buccaneers Start Time, Where To Watch, and Odds

• Date: Sunday, September 17
• Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: FOX

Bears vs. Buccaneers Odds

• Spread: Bears +2.5 (-105), Buccaneers -2.5 (-115)
• Total Odds: Under 40.5 (-105), Over 40.5 (-115)
• Moneyline Odds: Bears (+122), Buccaneers (-144)

Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injury Report

Bears

Questionable: DB Josh Blackwell (Hamstring)

Out: DB Kyler Gordon (Hand), OT Teven Jenkins (Leg)

Buccaneers

Probable: QB Baker Mayfield (Shoulder)

Questionable: CB Carlton Davis III (Toe)

Out: WR Russell Gage (Knee), C Ryan Jensen (Knee)

Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction

Trends indicate the under is in play in this game, as the point total has gone under in five of the Bucs' last seven home games against the Bears. The last time these teams played in 2021, the Bucs won 38-3, which still cashed the under. This time around, however, the point total line is set at 40.5, which is the lowest it has been compared to any of the five previous head-to-head matchups.

Mike Evans got going early against the Vikings, showing his rapport with Mayfield, but Chris Godwin is another talented slot wideout that could pop in Week 2. The Bucs' running game was not good in Week 1, which could give the Bears a chance to stay competitive. Their secondary has more talent than the front seven though, so we could see Mayfield check down quite a bit to the flat or in the middle of the field.

Tampa Bay has won five in a row as favorites against NFC opponents, and we're getting -144 moneyline odds at FanDuel to bet this line. I'm willing to take it a step further and recommend the Bucs covering -2.5 at home against a Bears team that lacks an identity on either side of the line of scrimmage. Tampa Bay has the superior personnel, momentum from Week 1, and the return of a confident Baker Mayfield, who still has plenty of accuracy in his arm.

Let's wager a unit or two on the Buccaneers to cover -2.5 at -115 odds at home against the Bears in Week 2.

Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick

• Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5 -115 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick

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