Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Full Tampa Bay Game Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will get one more shot at a home victory as they play host to the Chicago Bears this week at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bucs currently sit at 6-8 on the season, having tripled their win total from last season, but they've dropped their last two games in a row. The Bears haven't been any better in recent weeks, losing three straight games and falling to 5-9 on the year.
Tampa Bay had high playoff hopes just two weeks ago after a big home win over the Atlanta Falcons, but they've been dashed by back-to-back losses to teams with losing records. Both the Bucs and the Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention, but finishing the season strong will help set a positive tone for the offseason and heading into the 2016 campaign.
Bucs fans, here's everything you need to know heading into your team's final home game of the year.
Viewing Info
Date: Sunday, December 27
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
TV: Fox
Week 15 Results and Recap
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NFC South Standings
Carolina Panthers (14-0)
Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)
New Orleans Saints (5-9)
The Bucs got beat down yet again in front of a national audience, using a late comeback to make the final scoreline respectable in a 31-23 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
Tampa Bay was outplayed and outcoached for most of the game, getting blown out for three quarters before making a late push in the fourth quarter. The Rams led 28-6 after three quarters, as neither side of the ball could get things going for the Bucs.
On defense, the Bucs held rookie Pro Bowler Todd Gurley in check for most of the game, but they allowed backup quarterback Case Keenum to have a field day through the air. The former Houston Cougar only threw 17 passes all game, but he completed 14 of them for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns, without throwing an interception.
Tampa Bay also had trouble containing do-it-all offensive weapon Tavon Austin, who scored on a 17-yard pass and a 21-yard run.
Jameis Winston led an admirable comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, as the Bucs scored 17 points and got within a score with less than two minutes to go. But it was too little, too late, as the Rams recovered an onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.
Winston threw for just 49 yards in the first half, but racked up 314 in the second half on the way to the first 300-yard passing game of his career. Mike Evans topped 150 receiving yards for the third time this season, tallying 157 yards on nine receptions.
The loss—combined with the rest of Week 15's results—officially eliminated the Bucs from playoff contention in 2015.
News and Notes
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McCoy Playing with Torn Rotator Cuff?
During a Tuesday conference call, Bucs defensive captain Gerald McCoy revealed that he's played with a torn rotator cuff all season long, per Mark Cook of PewterReport.com.
However, when asked if he could confirm McCoy's injury, head coach Lovie Smith had an interesting answer, via Buccaneers.com:
"Do I confirm a torn rotator cuff? Here's what I'll confirm: I don't let anybody go on the field with an injury. Guys, throughout the season, play with pain. Again, everybody that is on the field, on our team, has been cleared by the medical staff to play. I don't know exactly what you're talking about by that, but if you see one of our players on the football field, he has been cleared medically to play. Whether he is playing with some pain, I assume every player in the league right now is playing with pain.
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McCoy has been on and off the injury report throughout the season, but this is the first time any mention of a torn rotator cuff has surfaced. With Smith refusing to confirm the injury, it leaves room for doubt as to whether McCoy or Smith are being completely forthright about the situation.
Regardless of the details, it's obvious McCoy has been playing below his potential lately, and this type of injury could certainly explain that.
Martin, McCoy Headed to Pro Bowl
The Bucs are sending a pair of players to Hawaii this year, as both Doug Martin and Gerald McCoy will represent the team in the NFL's annual all-star game.
Head coach Lovie Smith spoke Tuesday about his two Pro Bowlers, per Eric Horchy of PewterReport.com:
"I am excited for Gerald’s fourth Pro Bowl selection. This selection is a testament to Gerald’s tireless work ethic and the professional pride he displays here every day as one of our team captains. This season, despite battling through injuries, Gerald has anchored our run defense while still leading our team in sacks. He’s the best interior defensive lineman in the league and I’m proud of his achievement.
I can’t think of a more deserving player to be named to the Pro Bowl than Doug Martin. So much of our success on offense is directly related to Doug’s achievements this season. With two games still to be played, he is in the mix for the rushing title and that is a very special achievement in our league. It is exciting for our entire team to see him receive this type of much-deserved recognition.
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There's no arguing either of these selections based on the numbers, and an extremely strong case could be made for linebacker Lavonte David as well. That case was made emphatically by McCoy Tuesday, who sounded off on his teammate getting snubbed, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times:
"I've got to speak up about something. I think it's terrible what's happening to Lavonte right now. He's easily the best at what he does. He's had a million tackles, three picks, one for a touchdown, forced fumbles, two sacks — I mean, he's been the most dominant at his position probably since 2013. It's got to stop. It's very unfair what's happening to him and seriously, if I could trade places with him, I would. He more than deserves to be in the Pro Bowl. I believe he will be an All-Pro. But what's happening to him is unfair.
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David is a first alternate, so he'll be headed to Hawaii to join his teammates if there's an injury at his position. Even so, David is hampered by a Pro Bowl roster setup that doesn't differentiate between 3-4 edge-rushing linebackers and 4-3 outside linebackers, which puts him at a disadvantage to players with high sack totals.
Latest Injury News
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WR Vincent Jackson
After missing last week's loss to the Rams, it's not looking good for Jackson again this week. He missed Wednesday's practice with the same knee injury that has nagged him throughout the second half of the season, which put his status for Sunday's game in doubt. Tampa Bay's offense simply isn't the same without their veteran chain-mover in the starting lineup, as there's a huge drop-off in experience and talent between him and the next man up at receiver.
G Logan Mankins
Another veteran starter who might miss this week's game, Mankins also missed Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury. If he's unable to practice again Thursday, it's unlikely he'll be able to go Sunday, which would force second-year pro Kevin Pamphile into the starting lineup at left guard.
DT Akeem Spence
The Bucs are already fairly thin at defensive tackle without Clinton McDonald and with Gerald McCoy playing through injuries, but they could be without Spence this week as well. The former fourth-round pick out of Illinois missed Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury, and could be replaced in the starting lineup by Tony McDaniel Sunday.
LB Bruce Carter
Carter was sorely missed in last week's loss to the Rams, but he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and looks to be on track to start at middle linebacker this week. The free-agent acquisition filled in nicely for suspended rookie Kwon Alexander two weeks ago, and his return is sorely needed by a Tampa Bay defense lacking in depth.
*All injury information courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
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Top Matchups
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Alshon Jeffery vs. Bucs secondary
Tampa Bay's defensive backfield has had a rough stretch over the last couple of games, and they won't get much rest this week as they face the tall task of keeping Jeffery in check.
A former second-round pick out of South Carolina, Jeffery has the combination of size and athleticism NFL secondaries struggle to match up against. He's at his best in the red zone, and has caught a touchdown in each of his last two games. He's dealt with injuries throughout the season, but should be at full speed Sunday.
Mike Evans vs. Kyle Fuller
This matchup features a pair of top-15 picks from the 2014 NFL draft. Evans will look to build on his 157-yard performance from last week, while Fuller hopes to continue the improved play he's displayed over the second half of the 2015 season.
Both players have been inconsistent at times this season, but have also shown flashes of brilliance. If Vincent Jackson is out again this week, expect the Bears to focus most of their attention on stopping Evans, which will include plenty of one-on-one opportunities against his fellow draft classmate.
Matchup X-Factors
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Bucs X-Factor of the Week: LB Bruce Carter
Tampa Bay misses rookie standout Kwon Alexander, but they also missed his replacement in a bad way last week. Bruce Carter logged eight tackles in a solid performance against the Saints two weeks ago, but left the game with an injury and missed last week's loss to the Rams. In that game, his absence was painfully evident, especially in coverage.
Carter returned to practice this week, and if he's able to play Sunday, it'll be a huge upgrade for a defense lacking in depth, especially at linebacker. The Bucs need to create takeaways in order to be successful on defense, and Carter should be in position to help force those impact plays this week.
Prediction: Bucs 27, Bears 24
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The Bucs have lost back-to-back games, but the Bears have lost three in a row. Something's got to give, right?
Tampa Bay has been all over the place this season, whether home or away. They've proved they can bounce back from tough losses, but the last two games have also shown they haven't been ready to take advantage of positive momentum coming off a big win.
With the undefeated Carolina Panthers looming in Week 17, this week's tilt against the 5-9 Bears is easily Tampa Bay's best chance at preventing a four-game losing streak to close out the season. There have been plenty of positives for the Bucs throughout the season, but ending the year on a four-game skid would leave a mark, despite the team tripling their win total from last year.
The Bucs have a lot of issues to clean up this week, especially on defense. They're likely to give up their share of yards and points this week, but Jameis Winston also threw for 314 yards in the second half, proving he can mount a comeback with a skeleton crew of receivers.
It may be the last win of the season for Tampa Bay, but they'll send the fans home happy with another close victory.
Final Prediction: Bucs 27, Bears 24
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