The Bears and Buccaneers meet on Sunday Night Football with a lot on the line for both teams. Chicago is riding a wave of momentum, and Tampa Bay is ready to play spoiler on the biggest stage of the week. This showdown slate has plenty of ways to win, so let’s get to the lineup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (TB @ CHI)
Buccaneers at Bears DraftKings Showdown Captain Picks
D’Andre Swift ($15,000 CP): Chicago is favored by about six points, which points to a lot of scoring chances near the goal line. Tampa Bay holds runners to 3.6 yards per carry, but Swift does not need yards to pay off. He scored three times against Seattle on only 69 yards. Swift has 10 touchdowns through eight games, and the Bears have scored a touchdown on 11 of their 13 drives inside the 20 since Caleb Williams returned.
Buccaneers at Bears DraftKings Showdown UTIL Plays
Caleb Williams ($10,800): Chicago has not trailed in any of the three games since Williams returned, and the Bears are favored by about six points. He completes 70.9% of his passes, the second-best rate in the NFL, and he went 24-of-34 for 247 yards and a touchdown against Seattle. Tampa Bay leads the NFL with 16 takeaways, but Williams has thrown only one interception this season. The Buccaneers blitz more than all but two teams, and Williams has been getting the ball out fast against pressure. Since he returned, the Bears have scored a touchdown on 11 of their 13 drives inside the 20.
Luther Burden III ($9,000): A 130-yard game against New England was followed by a touchdown on Chicago’s opening drive against Seattle. The Bears script early throws for Burden so he can run after the catch. Tampa Bay has allowed the second-most yards after contact in the NFL, which is the clearest soft spot in its defense. Williams’ short throws to the outside hit Burden in stride, turning small gains into big ones.
Bucky Irving ($9,800): Tampa Bay ran for a team-record 324 yards against Atlanta, and Irving gained 170 of them on 27 carries. He also scored from four yards out. Rain pushed the Buccaneers to the run that day, but they have averaged about 230 rushing yards per game over their last four. Chicago’s run defense is the weakest part of its team, even with Jeffery Simmons on the line.
Buccaneers at Bears DraftKings Showdown Fades
Baker Mayfield ($9,600): Tampa Bay did not complete a pass against Atlanta, and Mayfield went 0-for-3 in heavy rain. Over his last two games, he has thrown only 14 passes and completed seven. His right thumb is still on the injury report, and he has said it will not fully heal until after the season. Chicago leads the NFL in third-down defense and added Jeffery Simmons, who had a sack and six tackles in his first game. The Buccaneers average 131 passing yards per game, the lowest in the league.
Buccaneers at Bears DraftKings Showdown Strategy and Prediction
The Bears have won their last three games, including a 17-point win over Seattle, and they are favored by about six this week. Tampa Bay’s run game should keep the score close for a half. Chicago has the stronger passing game, so the Bears should pull away late.
