Buccaneers Defense: Tampa Bay Unit Limits Bears Offense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Chicago Bears on Sunday night at Soldier Field. The visitors are favored by 6.5 points in the betting markets. The Buccaneers aim to use their defensive strengths to keep the NFC North leaders within that margin.

Tampa Bay leads the National Football League with 16 total takeaways and 12 interceptions. The unit maintains a 4.44 percent interception rate per opponent pass attempt. That figure ranks first in the league. The defense has allowed only 19 total points over its last two games. The group limits opposing quarterbacks to a 74.9 rating. They also hold opponents to 205.9 passing yards per game.

The Bears rely heavily on the ground game. D'Andre Swift leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns. He scored three times in Monday's victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Jeffery Simmons recorded six tackles, two for loss, and two sacks in his debut. Chicago's running attack faces a Tampa Bay front seven that has allowed an NFL-low two rushing touchdowns this season. The Buccaneers rank second in the league in yards allowed per game on the ground at 80.0.

Tampa Bay's offense has shifted its focus to the running game. The team posted a franchise record of 324 rushing yards in its last contest. Bucky Irving rushed for 100 yards in all three of the Buccaneers' victories. He and Kenneth Gainwell are tied for the NFL top spot in yards per carry at 5.0. The offensive line has allowed just seven sacks in the last four games. That number dropped from 20 sacks allowed in the first four games.

Caleb Williams threw for over 200 yards against the Seahawks' passing defense on Monday. He became the first quarterback to reach that mark against Seattle this season. The Bears entered the week with Super Bowl odds of +650. They seek their first championship since 1985. The Buccaneers previously became the first team in 52 years to win a game without completing a single pass.