The Chicago Bears are only in the infant stages of the 2023 NFL season, but Week 2 has suddenly become a must-win game in the eyes of the fans.
The Bears suffered a demoralizing 38-20 loss to the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 1, where everything that could’ve went wrong ended up going sideways. Quarterback Justin Fields had an up-and-down season debut, the defense failed to make Packers’ signal-caller Jordan Love uncomfortable in the pocket, and play calling on both fronts were absolutely horrid.
Buy Bears TicketsChicago will attempt to plug the holes of what looks to be the beginnings of a sinking ship as they prepare for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. The two teams have an interesting history, from the Bears’ dominance over the Bucs in the all-time record to the team’s now defunct rivalry as division opponents.
Let’s go over the seven things you need to know heading into Week 2.
1
The Buccaneers pulled off an upset win over the Vikings in Week 1
It was expected that the Buccaneers would turn out to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year, but it appears that they didn’t get the memo.
Tampa Bay managed to weather the immense firepower of Minnesota ‘s offense, winning a close Week 1 game 20-17. The Bucs have former first round pick Baker Mayfield calling the shots on offense, who replaces future Hall of Famer Tom Brady after he retired at the end of last season. Mayfield had a solid showing in his first game of the 2023 season, completing 21 passes and throwing two touchdowns. Long time Buccaneer Mike Evans was the leading receiver in the game, bringing in six catches for 66 yards, as well as bringing in one of Mayfield’s touchdown throws.
2
The game marks the 62nd all-time meeting between the two teams
Chicago played Tampa Bay for the first time in the 1977 season, and Week 2 will be the latest edition in the two team’s long history of battles. The Bears hold a sizeable 40-21 lead over the Buccaneers in the all-time win-loss record.
The main contributor to Chicago’s dominance over Tampa Bay has been the club’s ability to go into Raymond James Stadium and win; the Bears are 17-15 all-time on the road against the Bucs.
3
The Buccaneers dominated the Bears 38-3 in their last meeting
Though the Bears have the upper hand in the all-time record, the team was throttled by the Bucs in their last game, getting routed 38-3 in a Week 7 game back in 2021.
The ageless Brady did what he did best and dissected Chicago’s defense, throwing four touchdown passes. Brady accomplished a milestone endeavor in the process, becoming the first player to throw 600 touchdown passes. The devastating receiving combo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin dismantled the Bears’ secondary, as Godwin went off for over 100 yards receiving and a score and Evans got the hat trick, hauling in three of Brady’s four touchdown passes.
In stark contrast, the Bears offense was put in a chokehold by the Bucs defense all game. Quarterback Justin Fields was only seven games into his rookie campaign, and he certainly played like one, throwing three interceptions and fumbling three times. Running back Khalil Herbert was the team’s lone bright spot, gaining 100 yards on the ground.
4
The Bears and Buccaneers played in the same division for over 20 years
This entry is a fun trivia question: the Buccaneers were in the same division as the Bears from 1977 to 2001. That means Tampa Bay was just as much of a rival to the Bears as the Lions, Vikings and Packers are now.
The division was called the NFC Central, which was made up of the same four teams in the NFC North now, with the addition of the not-so-central Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The two teams played each other 24 times as division rivals, with the Bears having a 14-10 record in that span.
5
The Bears are 10-5 against the Buccaneers in September
The Bears appear to be in dire straits after a harrowing loss to the rival Packers in Week 1, creating a narrative for many that Week 2 is already a must-win game. If the Bears’ record in September against the Bucs is any indicator, Chicago may right the ship with a 1-1 record following Week 2.
Chicago is 10-5 in the month of September against Tampa Bay. The most recent and memorable win against the Bucs in the first quarter of a season was a dominant 48-10 victory in 2018. The offense was run by former first round quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who had his best game in a blue-and-navy uniform. Trubisky put on a passing clinic, throwing five first-half touchdowns and finishing with six touchdown passes overall.
The win signified the largest margin of victory since a 2012 game against the Jaguars that Chicago won 41-3.
6
The Buccaneers have won the last three matchups in Tampa (by a lot)
History hasn’t been kind to the Bears when they face the Buccaneers in Tampa. Not only has Chicago lost three of the last five meetings, but they’ve lost three in a row in Tampa by a combined score of 103-20, according to Kevin Fishbain.
That includes losses in Oct. 2021 (38-3), Sept. 2017 (29-7) and Nov. 2016 (36-10). By comparison, the last two meetings that the Bears have won have been played in Chicago — Oct. 2020 (20-19) and Sept. 2018 (48-10).
7
Bears to wear orange helmet, jersey
The Bears will wear their orange helmet and jersey in Sunday’s game against the Bucs. Tampa Bay will wear their white uniforms at home.
While the orange helmet/jersey combination isn’t a favorite among Bears fans, it should help keep the team cooler in the hot Florida sun (as it’s better than the navy alternative).
Chicago wore the combination twice in 2022 — in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders and Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, both of those games were losses. So it doesn’t bode well for Sunday.
