Chicago Bears (0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
NFL Week 2
Date/Time: Sunday, September 17th, 1:00pm EST
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
TV: FOX
by Bob, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: CHI +7 / TAM -7
Over/Under Total: 43
This Sunday in Tampa Bay, the NFC North Chicago Bears will come into Raymond James Stadium to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Chicago enters this game at 0-1 after a loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons in week one while Tampa will be playing their first game of 2017 after having their first game cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.
Although they have not yet play a game this season, the experts are high on Tampa Bay. Many feel they are the team that could take over the NFC South and even beat out the Falcons this season for the division title. Not only do the NFL experts think that the Bucs are a team on the rise, the bookmakers are showing some love as well. Tampa opens as a touchdown favorite at home against a Bears team that just nearly defeated the defending NFC Champions this past weekend. The total points are set at 43 combined between the Bears and Bucs. Apparently though, the public liked what they saw of the Bears in week one. 62% of the action has chosen Chicago to cover the touchdown and keep this game close.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers like I said earlier, are considered to be a team on the rise. Last season they made strides but fell just short of being a Wild Card team in the playoffs but some think they can make the leap this season. The Bucs have a good young defense and the offense is starting to piece together some guys that can make some plays. Alongside of Jameis Winston in 2017 will be rookie tight end, OJ Howard and veteran wide receiver, Desean Jackson. Running back, Doug Martin is still serving a four game suspension so the load of the carries will be handled by the former Atlanta Falcons back, Jacquizz Rodgers. Whether its Martin, Rodgers, or Sims in 2017, the Tampa backs must produce to make the job easier for Jameis Winston who is still learning how to play quarterback in the NFL but nonetheless is improving each season.
The Chicago Bears gave the Atlanta Falcons all they could handle in week one. The defense was able to slow down the Falcons offense and their own offense played well and if not for a few costly drops in the redzone, could be entering this game at 1-0. The game was close, very close, and the Bears looked pretty strong…much stronger than many expected. If Chicago can repeat their success, especially on defense this weekend, I could see them not only going into Tampa and covering, but winning the game outright. On offense, there were a couple of surprises for Chicago. Coming into week one many fans thought that rookie Mitch Trubisky should be the starter at QB ahead of Mike Glennon well, it appears the Bears coaching staff made the right call. Glennon went 26 for 40 with slightly over 200 yards passing and a touchdown. If his wideouts had played to their potential he would have had another score, four more completions, and more than likely a win. Glennon did his job and if he repeats that this week, it will keep his team in the game.
This game is a tough one to call. I have not seen the Buccaneers play a real game yet this season and Chicago is coming off of a close loss and now traveling south to play on the road. I do like Tampa to win this game but I also like the Bears to keep it close. There are no injuries and other than the suspension of Doug Martin, both teams will be playing at full strength this weekend. I like Tampa to win an ugly, low scoring affair 18-13.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE BEARS +7 AND UNDER THE TOTAL OF 43 POINTS. – Bet your ATS picks at an online sportsbook where you can bet on games at -105 odds instead of the more expensive -110 price tag that your bookie is sticking you with! Making the switch to betting at discounted odds will save you TONS of cash! Find this great offer as well as 20 point teasers and parlays up to 25 teams at the web’s best bookmaker: 5Dimes.
