Can Chicago Make It Two in a Row Over Brady? Check this article to find out.
Can Chicago Make It Two in a Row Over Brady?
It’s hard to consider a game where the betting line is near a dozen a revenge game for Tampa Bay, but that’s the spot the Bucs are in when Chicago comes to town on Sunday afternoon. The Bears tallied a 20-19 win at Soldier Field last season, a game that ended when Tom Brady lost count of how many downs were left.
Last year’s loss in front of a national audience on Thursday night football was the first time in a long time that Brady lost control of a situation. He’ll likely be out for blood in week seven free NFL picks with the -11.5 spread priced at -110 at both Bovada and BetOnline.
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Bears Pass Rush Takes a Hit
Chicago could fluster Brady in last year’s game, sacking him three times and forcing a fumble that the Buccaneers recovered. The Bears come into Sunday’s game leading the NFL in sacks (21), but a big part of that takes a blow with Robert Quinn (5.5 sacks) on the sidelines after a positive COVID test.
It’s still possible that Quinn returns for this game if he tests negative twice over the weekend, but the Bears are moving ahead as if they’ll play without him. Khalil Mack (6 sacks) will play, which helps Chicago betting odds, but he’s missed practice this week with a nagging foot injury.
DT Akiem Hicks (groin) is also questionable after being pulled in last week’s 24-14 loss to Green Bay. Injuries are also piling up on the offensive side of the ball for Chicago with WR Allen Robinson II questionable with an ankle ailment, and WR Darrell Mooney expected to play through a groin issue.
If there’s any good news for the Bears, it’s that Tampa Bay is also hurting with Lavonte David, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown all expected to miss this game. Chicago also liked what they saw out of rookie RB Khalil Herbert last week as he ran for 97 yards and a TD vs. Green Bay.
Too Much Brady?
Tampa Bay is at home after a visit to Philadelphia, and they have some extra rest with the 28-22 win over the Eagles coming in last week’s Thursday night football NFL picks. Despite ailments piling up on both sides of the field (including a Brady thumb issue), betting odds have Tampa Bay as nearly a dozen point favorites against the 3-3 Bears.
The loss of Brown (ankle) hurts the Bucs offense this week, though, as he went off for nine catches and 93 yards vs. the Eagles. Mike Evans (34 catches 420 yards) and Chris Godwin (34 catches, 409 yards) can more than pick up the slack, though.
Hicks being out or limited for Chicago would also significantly boost the Tampa Bay running game, which they’ll try to get going to avoid the pressure of Mack, rookie Trevis Gipson, and Quinn if he plays. Leonard Fournette ran for two TDs last week, and the Packers also compiled 154 yards on the ground vs. the Bears.
Bears at Bucs Pick
Regardless of how good the Tampa Bay offense can be in this game, it’s likely their defense will decide if the team can cover the -11.5 betting odds. The Bears rank last in the NFL in total yards and passing yards as they suffer the growing pains of starting rookie QB Justin Fields.
The Bucs struggled vs. the pass (280.8 ypg) but top vs. the run allowing just 54.8 ypg on the ground. However, passing is not an option or a threat for Chicago, making them very one-dimensional in this spot.
Betting Pick: Bucs -11.5
