Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in the Buccaneers' Week 12 Contest with Chicago

The Buccaneers' big win over Washington this week indicated a possible turning point not only for the season but for Lovie Smith's tenure as head coach. Entering Chicago next Sunday, the Bucs must build on the foundation of their second win of the season.

Finally, the defense came together for a shockingly dominant performance. The Bucs sacked Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III six times and forced two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by cornerback Johnthan Banks.

The key difference between the Bucs defense in Washington and nearly every week prior was the presence of an insatiable pass rush. As usual, Gerald McCoy locked down the center of the line, but it was the containment and pressure from defensive ends Jacquies Smith and Michael Johnson that squeezed the pocket until either Griffin was under a pile of Bucs jerseys or a bad pass was thrown.

Lovie Smith's affection for takeaways and the benefit they serve to the offense were justified as well. In smothering the Washington offense, pressure was taken off the Bucs offense and took the wind out of the sails of the Washington defense.

After the second quarter, the game belonged to Mike Evans. The rookie wide receiver caught seven passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns, unofficially entering his name in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation.

Facing the Chicago Bears this Sunday, the Bucs will have to replicate that pass rush to draw bad Jay Cutler from his grumpy lair. Cutler tossed three touchdowns and two interceptions against Minnesota on Sunday, leading the Bears to their first home win.

Building off last week's win, the Bucs need their stars from last week—Evans, Banks and Smith—to develop consistency in their game and win their individual matchups in Chicago. Here are the most crucial matchups in the Buccaneers' Week 12 game against the Bears.

Johnthan Banks vs. Alshon Jeffery

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Cornerback Johnthan Banks has really taken to Lovie Smith's defense over the past few weeks. The second-year defensive back allowed only one touchdown this year and is coming off his first career pick-six.

Chicago poses a real test of Banks' development as he faces the wide receiver tandem of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. While neither receiver is having his best year, both are nonetheless dangerous and capable of making game-changing plays at any time.

The key for Banks will be whether the pass rush can sustain the aggressiveness and leverage it used to force bad throws and bad decisions from Robert Griffin III. Banks' interception came off a tipped ball by middle linebacker Mason Foster with a little heat on Griffin from the defensive line.

Banks already faced a potent wideout tandem in Atlanta's Julio Jones and Roddy White this year. In their last game, Banks surrendered six receptions and 92 yards to Jones, although Banks had two batted passes of his own.

Like Jones, Chicago's Jeffery is a big receiver with deep-threat ability. Banks may not have the speed to match Jeffery's, but at 6'2", he will have an easier time than most cornerbacks dealing with Jeffery's 6'3" height.

Provided the Bucs defensive line can get in Jay Cutler's face, Banks' main objective will be wrapping Jeffery up good and tight. This season Jeffery has amassed 315 yards after the catch, ranking ninth in the league.

Jeffery is too good not to catch some passes this Sunday, but it's vital for Banks to limit his gains after catching the ball. He may take himself out of position to intercept the ball, but he will help neutralize a potentially formidable Chicago passing attack.

Mike Evans vs. Tim Jennings

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Mike Evans' spectacular performance in Washington continues a streak of illuminating games by the rookie wideout. He will have to maintain his streak of big games to get the Bucs past Chicago.

For three straight games, Evans has totaled more than 100 yards receiving and scored at least one touchdown. With his 6'5" size, deceptive speed and solid route running, Evans is a matchup nightmare for cornerbacks.

This Sunday he faces possibly his biggest challenge since turning pro: Tim Jennings. Chicago would be crazy not to stick its best cornerback on Evans, especially with the monstrous streak he's on.

Jennings may have lost a step since entering his ninth season in the NFL, but he is still formidable. While he has yet to record an interception this year, the Chicago corner can still put in a dominant performance like the one he had against the Minnesota Vikings last week. According to Pro Football Focus, Jennings allowed only 12 total yards on receivers he was covering (subscription required).

However, Evans is bigger and stronger than any receiver on the Vikings roster. In Washington, he made big receptions with solid route running and by muscling through defenders. His distinct size advantage must be exploited by Josh McCown and the Bucs offense.

Jacquies Smith vs. Michael Ola

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The Bucs haven't had much to celebrate on defense this season, but the emergence of defensive end Jacquies Smith has been a positive. On a line where the pass rush has been scarce for years, Smith's arrival brought a long-absent aggressiveness to the end position.

Since his strong performance against Minnesota in Week 8, Smith has been the Bucs' most effective edge-rusher. Over 205 defensive plays, Smith has 13 QB hurries and three sacks. He has as many sacks as Michael Johnson in nearly 200 fewer snaps and two more sacks and only one less hurry in half as many snaps as Will Gholston, according to Pro Football Focus.

With Johnson healthy enough to be on the field, Smith has practically locked down the left end position. On Sunday, he will face off with Bears offensive lineman Michael Ola.

Ola has been all over the offensive line this season, moving from left guard to left tackle. He now looks to start at right tackle, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Dickerson.

Ola is an average tackle. He's given up 11 pressures, a quarterback hit and a sack while playing tackle in four games this season, according to Pro Football Focus. While he's certainly not elite, Smith won't be able to simply run over him either.

Smith has to bring the speed rush like he did on his first sack of Robert Griffin III last Sunday. Lined up wide, he burst off the line, shoved Washington right tackle Tom Compton out of the way and took down Griffin.

Aggressiveness is what separates Smith from the rest of the Bucs defensive ends. He will need to bring that fire to not only overtake Ola but to inspire the rest of the pass-rushers to play with the same passion.

All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus (subscription required).