Mission: Chicago Bears

The Bucs will venture outside of their division for the first time this season. Both teams are evenly matched, each with a 1-1 record. As already reported, Brian Griese will be the starting quarterback for the Bucs this week, taking on his most recent of former teams. The Bucs might be without a few players due to injury, but they’re not alone. The Bears could be without dangerous return man Devin Hester.

The Bears are starting to regain their 2006 form. The defense is once again becoming the Monsters of the Midway, and the offense is putting points up on the board. Believe it or not, the offense is ranked 11th in the league in points per game. While not pressing overpowering numbers, quarterback Kyle Orton is leading the offense in a way Rex Grossman couldn’t. It can’t hurt that the offense has the 9th best rushing game in the league, led by rookie Matt Forte. The defense, led by Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, is one of the top 10 defenses in the league once again.

Key Matchup:
Bucs Offense vs. Bears Defense
The Bucs really only have to worry about Matt Forte when it comes to the Bears offense, so the matchup isn’t one to be desired. However, the Bucs will have a lot to worry about when it comes to the Bears defense. Their defense is ranked 8th in points per game, 6th in total yards, 8th against the run, and 11th against the pass. In two games, the Bears have recorded five sacks (10th in the league), and have scored a touchdown. Although Briggs and Urlacher lead the team in tackles, neither has recorded a sack.
The scary part for the Bucs is that their offense is primarily the run. They’ve been experimenting with the passing game, but Brian Griese is not an overwhelming presence in the pocket. Even though the Bucs are 7th in the league in rushing yards, the Bears tough defense is going to make sure that Earnest Graham will have a tough time getting through. The Bucs might have to rely on the passing game, ranked 16th in the league.

Speaking of the passing game, Griese will be down a key receiver in Joey Galloway. Michael Clayton has been awarded the starting job, along with Antonio Bryant. Ike Hilliard, the leading receiver for the Bucs, is starting as a third stringer, as he has been. The Bucs should receive a boost from Jerramy Stevens, who will make his debut on Sunday, after being suspended the first two games of the season.

The Bucs will face a tough test in what will most certainly be a defensive battle. Even though the Bucs have put 20+ points on the board in the first two weeks, expect very few points this week. If anything, this game will more than likely be decided by one score.