Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David claimed that the defense correctly predicted the Bears’ play call on the late pick-six off Justin Fields that sealed Tampa Bay’s victory in Week 2.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, David said that the Buccaneers’ defense “knew what was coming” on the screen pass from Fields which Shaquil Barrett took back four yards for a touchdown.
“They called a screen. It was the same formation, everybody knew what was coming,” said David of Fields’s first interception of the afternoon, via Greg Auman of FOX Sports. “
Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool was flagged for offensive pass interference on the previous play, a short screen pass to running back Khalil Herbert. Rather than draw up something new, Chicago went back to the same play after the penalty, and Tampa’s defense was not deceived in the slightest.
More locker room video from Sunday: Lavonte David says “everybody knew what was coming” from Bears on Shaq Barrett’s game-clinching pick-six: pic.twitter.com/F3tdDsjGy4
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 18, 2023
Barrett’s pick-six gave the Buccaneers a 27-17 lead, which they held onto the for the remainder of the game. The defense intercepted Fields again on the subsequent possession after which quarterback Baker Mayfield was able to run out the clock for the win.
Tampa Bay’s defense got after Fields all night, racking up six sacks on the evening and forcing two fumbles off the young quarterback, in addition to his two interceptions.
David put it plainly after the game, stating that “everybody” on the team knew what the Bears were plotting ahead of the pick-six.
