Bears vs Buccaneers Odds, Betting Lines, Picks, and Predictions
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 11.5-point home favorites over the Chicago Bears in their NFL game on Sunday October 24
- Sunday Betting Record: 0-0 ML; 1-5 ATS; 0-1 O/U; -3.63 units
- Chicago is 7-3 straight up against Tampa Bay in October
In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers are playing like reigning Super Bowl champions. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are still figuring things out.
As these two squads meet on Sunday, the only question seems to be whether Bucs quarterback Tom Brady will remember how to count to four.
Last season, the Bears upset Buccaneers 20-19 when Brady appeared to forget it was fourth down on Tampa Bay’s last possession.
Oddsmakers have set the spread for this game to add up to much more than four. Tampa Bay is established as the 11.5-point home favorite. Chicago is 1-2 against the spread this season as an away underdog.
Bears vs Buccaneers Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | -480 | +11.5 (-110) | O 47 (-110) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -650 | -11.5 (-110) | U 47 (-110) |
Odds as of October 23rd at FanDuel
Kickoff for this game at Raymond James Stadium is set for 4:25pm ET. It’s going to be a wet one. The forecast is for rain, 8 mph wind and a temperature of 84 degrees.
Line Dancing
There’s been plenty of movement in the line on this game since it opened at Tampa Bay -11.5. It climbed as high as Buccaneers -13.5, came back down to Tampa Bay -12.5 and then settled in again at the opening line. The public is backing the Bears at +11.5 at 86%.
In Sunday's Buccaneers-Bears game, Tom Brady vs. Justin Fields will set a new NFL record for the largest age gap between starting quarterbacks.
The previous record was Tom Brady vs. Mac Jones three weeks ago.
Before that it was Tom Brady vs. Justin Herbert last year.— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) October 20, 2021
As well, 86% of moneyline wagers also like Chicago at +409. As far as the total of 47 points, 84% of wagers are on the over.
Run Away
Since going to 2021 first round draft pick Justin Fields as their QB1, the Bears are settling into being a run-first team. They’ve made an average of 34 rush attempts per game over the past three weeks. That’s #2 in the NFL.
However, this strategy is suddenly presenting all sorts of problems for Chicago. First, running back Damien Williams has entered the NFL”s COVID-19 protocols and is out for Sunday’s game. He’s playing because starter David Montgomery (knee) is on IR. Rookie Khalil Herbert, who figures to step into the starting RB role, is probable with a shoulder ailment.
Tom Brady will play an Ohio State QB for the first time in his career when he faces Justin Fields and the Bears on Sunday.
And of course, his response to what took so long was A+ 😂 pic.twitter.com/B4dltR6CUC
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 22, 2021
Second, Tampa Bay stuffs the run better than any NFL defense. The Buccaneers are holding opponents to 54.8 yards on the ground per game. That’s #1 in the league. In the past three games, they’ve lowered that mark to 46 yards per game.
If that means rookie Fields is forced to go to the air, it doesn’t bode well for Chicago. The Bears are averaging just 117.2 yards per game.
Injury Report
Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) is officially out for this game. He’s second on the team in receiving yards (418).
Also out for Tampa Bay are tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs), cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring) and linebacker Lavonte David (ankle). However, strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr is back after missing two games while in concussion protocol. Weakside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder, hand) is questionable.
Antonio Brown in his last 3 games
💥 32 targets
💥 23 catches
💥 280 yards
💥 3 TDs pic.twitter.com/Hnfu1TUB35— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 15, 2021
Along with Williams, strong side linebacker Robert Quinn and TE Jimmy Graham are also on the COVID-19 list. Strong safety Tayshaun Gipson Sr (hip) is out.
Wide receiver Allen Robinson II (ankle), left defensive end Akiem Hicks (groin), right defensive end Bilal Nichols (knee) and weakside linebacker Khalil Mack (foot) are questionable.
Trendspotting
The Bears are 2-0 straight up against the Buccaneers. Chicago has won five of the last seven meetings, posting victories over the Bucs in three cities – Chicago (3), Tampa Bay (1) and London, England (1). As well, the Bears are 7-3 SU in 10 October clashes with the Buccaneers.
The last five Bears games have all gone under. Tampa Bay is 6-1 ATS in its last seven home games.
Tampa Bay has won three in a row. A win Sunday would provide the Bucs with a franchise-best 6-1 start.
Rookie QB+RB, Justin Fields and Khalil Herbert will both START on Sunday pic.twitter.com/b6AAFz26Uw
— 𝗣𝗵illip Rossignol (@prmoves5) October 14, 2021
It’s just the third time over the past 5+ seasons that Chicago is a double-digit point underdog. They are 1-1 ATS in the two previous games.
It’s the second time already this season that Tampa Bay is a double-digit point favorite. The Bucs are 3-1 ATS and SU in their last four games as the chalk of 10 or more points.
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -11.5 (-110).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
