The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, unexpectedly at 0-2 for the start of the 2023 season, have witnessed a renaissance, largely thanks to their defense. While Baker Mayfield's resurgence is noteworthy, Sunday's game saw the Buccaneers' defense relentlessly pressuring Justin Fields, even clinching a game with a pick-six off Fields in the dying minutes.
Lavonte David, the seasoned linebacker, shared an insightful observation in the post-game remarks. He mentioned that the Buccaneers' defense anticipated Chicago's slip-screen play. The reason? Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy repeatedly used the «same formation» throughout the match.
With Barrett having read the play beforehand, turning it into a significant play was inevitable. Handing such predictive advantages to elite NFL defenders is a misstep: The Sunday match contrasted two teams in their current phases. The Buccaneers retain a substantial portion of their Super Bowl 55-winning lineup, particularly on the defensive front, making their strong start to the season predictable. On the other hand, the Bears, despite boasting a promising young quarterback, appear to have regressed from the team that clinched the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.