The Chicago Bears have won four of their last five meetings with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but when they visit Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, they're facing a team that has dramatically improved over the last couple of seasons.
Bears vs. Buccaneers 2015 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Bucs are much improved, the Bears are struggling, and both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
Two years ago, the Bucs finished 4-12 and ranked dead last in the NFL in total offense. The 2014 season was even less kind to Tampa Bay, and the Bucs finished with the worst record in the league, earning the top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. They used it to select quarterback Jameis Winston, and an offense that averaged fewer than 300 yards per game a season ago is now putting up 374.2 yards per game, good for seventh in the league.
Winston is certainly part of the team's turnaround, as is new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, whose scheme has boosted the Bucs' offensive performance. A strong ground attack, buoyed by a resurgent season from running back Doug Martin also has helped. Martin is the NFL's second-leading rusher this season, trailing Adrian Peterson by just 9 yards.
The Bears are coming off of a devastating 38-17 loss to Peterson's Minnesota Vikings, which knocked them out of playoff contention. Chicago has faced injury-related adversity all season, especially among its receivers. Alshon Jeffery has battled recurring injuries throughout the year, first-round pick Kevin White never set foot on the field during the regular season after undergoing surgery in August, and the team also recently placed tight end Martellus Bennett on injured reserve.
On defense, the Bears have struggled with tackling and with containing quarterbacks over the past three weeks. In three straight losses, the Chicago defense let Blaine Gabbert, Kirk Cousins and Teddy Bridgewater all have career games. Gabbert, Cousins and Bridgewater combined for 727 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception. On Sunday, Winston and the Bucs won't make things easy.
The Bucs are coming off of a tough 31-23 loss on the road to the St. Louis Rams in Week 15. The Rams gutted out the win in what may well be their last game in St. Louis, helped along by two rushing touchdowns from receiver Tavon Austin. The Bucs put up a fight, though, and scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to make it a game. Winston threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns while Mike Evans caught nine passes for 157 yards.
The Bears' loss in Week 15 was much more lopsided. They had no answer for Bridgewater, who threw four touchdowns and added one rushing score. Chicago wasn't able to get much going on the ground, and the opportunity to try evaporated as the Vikings extended their lead. Jay Cutler was sacked five times in the 38-17 loss.
The Bucs should make it more difficult for the Bears’ running game. Tampa Bay is allowing just 94.4 rushing yards per game this season.
With both teams eliminated from playoff contention, all that hangs in the balance for this game is draft order. Entering the week, the Bears were holding on to the 11th pick while the Bucs were right behind at No. 12.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay
TV: FOX
Commentators: Sam Rosen, Matt Millen, Peter Schrager
Online: NFL Game Pass
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