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Week 12 Preview: Bucs at Bears
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) at Chicago Bears (4-6)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Soldier Field, Chicago – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin
*Keys to the game: Takeaways were the hallmark of the Bears under former head coach Lovie Smith, but neither Chicago nor Smith’s current team, Tampa Bay, is forcing turnovers these days.
The Bears are intimately familiar with Bucs QB Josh McCown, who started five games (13 touchdowns, one interception) for Chicago last season. McCown and WR Mike Evans are becoming a tough cover for most teams. Evans leads the NFL with 458 receiving yards and five touchdowns in November.
The Bucs are built to stop the run first, but with 11 sacks in their two wins, Tampa will be creative trying to rattle QB Jay Cutler.
Neither offensive line is stockpiled with All-Pros, and Cutler was effective last week with a floating pocket and more short drops.
*Matchup to watch – Bears RB Matt Forte vs. Bucs LB Lavonte David. Forte leads the Bears in rushing (733 yards) and receiving (67 catches) and will create matchup issues for the Bucs. David is among the NFL’s leading tacklers but has not produced a sack, fumble or interception this season.
*Player spotlight – Bucs RB Charles Sims: Scouts in the Bucs’ building saw Forte when they broke down Sims’ game before last spring’s draft. He’s working behind a marginal blocking front, but if Sims hits the second level, Sunday could be a breakout game.
*Fast facts: Smith was 81-63 as coach of the Bears, including 10-6 in 2012 when he was fired and replaced by Marc Trestman. … Cutler is fifth in the NFL with a 67.0 completion percentage, which would be the best of his career.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
While not mirror images, the similarities and familiarity between the Bucs and Bears should set up a tight game.
*Our pick: Bears 28-27
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