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Expectations are high in Tampa Bay behind quarterback Jameis Winston and some key offseason additions, and they will make their debuts in this one. The Bears kept it close against the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons at home last week, which is a good sign, but going on the road won’t be easy.
The Bucs will be favored to take care of business and begin the season on a high note, albeit one week later than everybody else.
This matchup in Week 2 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Chicago Bears +6.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6.5
Over/Under 43
Odds Analysis
Tampa Bay is favored at home, and the spread that hasn’t quite reached a touchdown is enticing if the game ends with a seven-point margin. The Buccaneers are thus getting about 80 percent of the early action to cover.
The scoring total has been deemed too low by the betting public as more than 83 percent of the early money has been taking the “over.” The moneyline has the Bears listed as a +237 underdog while Tampa Bay is a -290 underdog. The Bucs are the more common pick there as well.
Injury Report
Kevin White -- The Bears’ wide receiver will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. It’s a big blow for a Chicago wide receiver core which was already missing Cameron Meredith. Chicago has a shaky quarterback situation with Mike Glennon at the helm, and it doesn’t help that his pass-catching weapons have been hit hard by the injury bug.
Doug Martin -- The Buccaneers starting running back will miss this contest due to suspension. Tampa Bay isn’t a dominant running team and Martin’s absence won’t help. Jacquizz Rodgers is expected to get the majority of the work in this contest.
Player to Watch
Tarik Cohen -- The Bears may be short on wide receivers but they seem to have found a young playmaker at running back in the draft. The fourth-round pick was dominant in the season opener against the Raiders, finishing with 66 rushing yards in five carries and eight catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Chicago has a solid running back in Jordan Howard, but it seems like Cohen will also get his fair share of action. The Bears are low on impact talent, but if Cohen plays well and No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky eventually takes over at quarterback and does well, the future would look considerably brighter.
Cohen won’t be surprising anybody in this one, so it will be interesting to see how he does against a Tampa Bay defense that will be keeping an eye on him.
Free ATS Pick
The Buccaneers have playoff aspirations, and if they are truly postseason-caliber they should be able to take care of business in this one. Even though the Bears didn’t win their opener, they were competitive against a talented Falcons team.
Chicago hopes to keep this one close, but could have trouble slowing down the Bucs passing game. Mike Evans is one of the most talented wideouts in the NFL, while speedster DeSean Jackson was signed in free agency to complement him. Rookie tight end O.J. Howard could also make an immediate impact as the Bears will have to stop several talented players.
Chicago should be able to stick around early, but look for Tampa Bay to come out with a strong second half to pull away. The Buccaneers should be able to cover the spread in this contest at home.
NFL Odds: Buccaneers 26, Bears 17
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