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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

Buccaneers knew a screen pass was coming on Bears’ pick-6

The Chicago Bears had a chance to win (or at the very least tie) the game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Which was more than what they could’ve said in last week’s season opener.

Trailing 20-17 with two minutes remaining, the Bears faced first-and-11 from their 6-yard line — following a brutal penalty that backed them up six yards. Quarterback Justin Fields, who had just thrown a beautiful touchdown to receiver Chase Claypool, had a chance to pull this team back from an 0-2 hole.

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But what started as a flash of hope quickly turned into disaster as quarterback Justin Fields threw a pick-six that sealed the win for Tampa Bay. Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett intercepted a Fields screen pass intended for running back Khalil Herbert. Barrett then returned it four yards into the end zone for the touchdown.

Turns out, the Buccaneers read it the whole way.

“They called a screen,” Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David told reporters after the game, via Fox Sports writer Greg Auman. “It was the same formation. Everybody knew what was coming. He read it out.

“He just made the big play. Playmakers make plays.”

It’s an indictment on playcaller Luke Getsy, who has leaned heavily on what’s been an unsuccessful screen game through these first two games.

It was something the Buccaneers noticed on film, sure, but it’s something they noticed on the field in the moment, which led to a clutch pick-6. Simply inexcusable by Getsy.

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