Bears vs Bucs Recap: When the Magic runs out!
Photo Credit: https://www.tampabay.com/photos/2018/09/30/tampa-bay-buccaneers-lose-to-the-chicago-bears-48-to-10/
Somebody wake me up! So, the Bears offense, lead by Mitch Trubisky, put up a total of 6 touchdowns (in which 5 of them came before the 2nd half begun). Mitch is the 1st Bears QB to ever accomplish such a remarkable feat, while being the last QB to do so since, Aaron Rodgers. The defense held a hot Tampa Bay Bucs team to a not so hot total of 10 points, for the entire game; while adding 4 more sacks to their overall total for the season. When has this ever happened for the Bears? No, seriously, please inform me! It felt so good watching this from the couch, with my sleeping daughter in my arms. The television was muted, and yells were limited in fear of waking her up. She rather lay in my arms then sleeping on the bed, which is why she was being held. Fatherhood, tell me about it! Nevertheless, it was a wonderful sight.
Opening Kick to the End: The Summary
Tampa Bay, opted to give the Bears the football first, and from there, is where their first mistake of plenty transpired. The first scoring drive took 6 plays and they flew down the field for a 75 yard score; Mitch to Burton off play action. From there, the rated 5 Defense, stop the Bucs from gaining much yardage as they had to settle for a 3 and out. That’s been the story in Chicagoland. The Bears stingy defense is leading the league in: turnovers, sacks, and 3 and outs! Put it into retrospect, the Bears have a total of 87 first downs in the first 4 weeks, while opponents have a total of 62 first downs. From there the third down conversion numbers are just as impressive by the defense: with a total of 16/48 being converted for additional chances for opposing offenses to score. What impressed me was that they only allowed a total of 5 red zone trips, the least in the league, tops in that category as well! It looks like the rest of the league has an issue. It is extremely hard to gain any ground with that ferocious defense. The front 7 is quite dynamic, deep, explosive and young. They can grow together and really be something. All of this just by getting one person, Khalil Mack, whom by the way got another strip sack, but didn’t recover the fumble. Come on Mack, we need better from you. That fumble should have been recovered. Naw, Mack is the man and the team has been playing greatly since adding the 2016 DPOY; looking like he’ll be the 2018 DPOY.
It was just a team in the Bears, that was hitting on all cylinders. Even as Mitch put up 5 TD’s in the first half, the defense still had that “Monster’s of the Midway” mentality in which they didn’t allow Fitzpatrick’s substitution get them off-track. As Matt Nagy said, “we didn’t prepare for Jameis Winston. We didn’t prepare for either quarterback. But we did know a quarterback would be out there.” When your defense is that good, all one has to do is ensure their gameplanning is in top shape, so they don’t have to worry about the opposing team, even if that mean seeing 2 quarterbacks. Winston, came in during the start of the second half in efforts to bring in some newly re-found energy for the Bucs. Not quite. While his first drive was promising, it ended abruptly when Mack rushed the QB and got a hold of the ball that ended up falling into Roquan Smith arms. This shouldn’t be new to the Bears as they have seen substitutions from the QB position coming from 3 out of 4 of their games. They semi-hurt Aaron Rodgers, and saw the Packers back up QB, then Rodgers returned. Playing against the Cardinals, Sam Bradford was benched for Josh Rosens. Yesterday, the Magic ran up for Fitzgerald as he was benched for Winston. Seattle's Wilson, is the only QB, the Bears didn’t force to get bench via bad performance. What’s scary is, they haven’t even reached their full potential. Leonard Floyd, their best pass rusher last year, has yet to make the same impact on that side of the ball this year, as he is playing and nursing a hand injury at the same time. Have to think once that cast is off, what type of passing rush duo he and Mr. MackTruck will become. The defense also only forced 4 more turnovers from an opposing team, to add to their leading total.
Photo Credit: https://www.nwherald.com/lists/2018/09/30/264c18479ad940f9a8b607411b68c6ab/index.xml?page=1
Matt Nagy, (where have you been good sir?), gotta love his play-calling and game-planning. He utilizes his entire team’s strength, by knowing his players individual strengths, and puts them in places where their skill(s) can be showcased. Gabriel (7 catches for 104 yards, 2 TD’s) and Cohen (7 catches for 121 yards, 1 TD) were the offense playmakers this week. Nevertheless, the entire offense played a team game and allowed the game to come to them. Kevin White, whom was catchless, provided great blocking out of the receiving position. Hopefully, he can get his health issues behind him to stay on the field longer and be the WR the Bears drafted him as; as he has yet to live up to the Larry Fitzgerald comparisons by some. Robinson, Burton and Bellamy were the other recipients of a Touchdown toss by the 2nd year QB, Mitch T. The offensive line only allowed 1 sack, which gave Mitch ton of time as he wasn’t hurried much. Give him time and hopefully he continues playing with poise and comfort. He even ran for 53 yards. Want a freaking performance! What was most impressive was how Mitch left the Bucs defense looking for answers as they were unable to faze him.
On Another Note:
To the entire Oakland Raiders organization, mostly Jon Gruden, the entire city of Chicago just wants to say thank you so much for not wanting to pay the hardworking man his money and trading him to the Bears! Chicago, glad to see the chances you are now looking to make to get back to the playoffs in contention of competing for a Superbowl!
Up Next for the Bears:
Bye week!!! Matt Nagy and the gang, will get some time to talk about their success during ¼ of their season this far. Please do not get on the high horse. Keep playing as a unit, a selfless unit, and the rest will come about! Get rested, however come with the same focused mindset! Miami Dolphins and Adam Gase, will be next up, October 14, 2018!
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