Chicago Bears Will Have Tough Chess Match Against Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Clyde A. Speller
@ClydeASpeller
Getty Images
Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears have combined for only six wins over the first 11 weeks of the NFL season, this week’s matchup between the two teams should be a very intriguing one. Both ball clubs have individuals who are familiar with the opposing side, which should result in an interesting battle of wits between the two head coaches.
Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith will be facing the team he coached from 2004-12 for the first time, and will be doing so in Soldier Field. Also, quarterback Josh McCown will be under center against the team he helped keep afloat in 2013 while replacing an injured Jay Cutler. McCown’s familiarity with Marc Trestman’s offensive scheme could play in Tampa Bay’s favor on the defensive side of the ball.
Even the experience Buccaneers safety Major Wright had against Chicago’s offense in last year’s training camp could be beneficial to Tampa Bay.
On the flipside, Cutler, running back Matt Forte and the rest of the Bears’ offense has seen Smith’s Cover-2 enough to know where the strengths and weaknesses are in that defensive scheme. Furthermore, the knowledge of linebacker Lance Briggs, along with cornerbacks Charles Tillman (who’s out for the season) and Tim Jennings should give Trestman some much-needed additional help on the offensive side of the ball.
When it comes down to it, this Week 12 battle will come down to a meeting of the minds between Trestman and Smith. Whoever can stay a step ahead of the other for an entire 60 minutes will walk away with a checkmate.
Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller
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