The nationally televised game in the late-afternoon time slot for Week 7 features the Chicago Bears taking on the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Considering that the NFL betting odds have the home team favored by double-digits, it’s hard to say that this game really lives up to the “America’s Game of the Week” billing. At least all of the Tom Brady fans will be happy. Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Justin Fields will get to try and show a national audience what he is capable of in this Bears vs Buccaneers showdown.
The following Bears vs Buccaneers NFL betting preview will give you the current odds, betting trends and picks for the Week 7 matchup, along with a stream link to watch games all season long.
Bears vs Buccaneers Week 7 NFL Betting Preview
NFL Regular Season — Week 7 Game
Chicago Bears (3-3, 1-2 Away) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1, 3-0 Home)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021
Time: 4:25 p.m. EST
Venue: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa, FL
Coverage: Click here for the stream
Chicago Bears Preview
After picking up an upset win on the road over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, it was an all too familiar feeling for the Bears and their fans last week. Yes, Chicago, Aaron Rodgers still owns you. Too soon? Sorry, my bad. While the Bears defense played well last Sunday in slowing down Rodgers and the Packers offense for most of the game, Chicago’s offense is hard-pressed to score 24 points as currently constructed. The combination of playing to win football games while breaking in a very raw rookie quarterback doesn’t typically go well. Justin Fields completed just 16 of 27 pass attempts in last week’s defeat. He has only surpassed the 200-yard mark through the air once in his first four NFL starts.
The Bears’ backfield has gone from a solid position at the start of the season to an injury-marred rotation. With both David Montgomery (injury) and Damien Williams (virus) out last week, it was rookie Khalil Herbert who saw the majority of touches. He played well, rushing for 97 yards and a score. Such numbers will be extremely difficult to replicate in Sunday’s NFL betting contest against a Tampa defense that allows just 54.8 rushing yards per game to opponents. While few teams have offered much resistance to the high-flying Bucs offense thus far, the Bears might be a team capable of making Tampa Bay earn every point. Unfortunately, they will have to try and do so without the services of both tackle Akiem Hicks and corner Tashaun Gipson.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
It was clear to many NFL betting analysts that the reigning Super Bowl champs would once again be one of the best teams this season. After all, the Buccaneers did manage to return all 22 starters from last year’s championship roster. While Tampa Bay has had relatively little trouble in winning five of their first six games to start the year, they have not been as strong against the spread. The Bucs have covered just two spreads in their first six outings. Of course, they have been favored in every game to date and are hefty home favorites once again in Week 7. Perhaps the market has overvalued this team a bit though.
Tom Brady is well on his way to having one of the best statistical seasons of his storied NFL career. He fell just three yards shy of 300 through the air in last Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles. With two touchdown passes in that game, Brady now has 17 through the first six games. Antonio Brown was the go-to target for TB12 last week, finishing with nine catches for 93 yards and a score. However, he will miss Sunday’s contest with an injury. This likely just means more work for the Bucs’ other star wideouts, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. The backfield now clearly belongs to Leonard Fournette, as it rightfully should. He scored a pair of rushing TDs last week. While the Bucs weakness defensively is their injury-plagued secondary, it’s hard to envision Justin Fields lighting them up in Sunday’s NFL betting matchup.
Bears vs Buccaneers Odds and Spread
NFL betting odds for Bears vs Buccaneers are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: CHI: (+500) | TB: (-650)
Spread: CHI: +11.5 (-110) | TB: -11.5 (-110)
Total: 47 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via Action Network: CHI: (41%) | TB: (59%)
Bears vs Buccaneers NFL Betting Trends
- Bears are just 3-6 ATS in their last nine road games.
- Each of the Bears’ last five games has gone under the total.
- The under has hit in 15 of the Bears’ last 17 road games as an NFL betting underdog of 10 points or more.
- Buccaneers are just 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
- The total has gone over in four of the Buccaneers’ last six games.
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Bears vs Buccaneers Stats
- Chicago is averaging 16.3 PPG this season (No. 30 in the NFL).
- Chicago is surrendering 20.7 PPG this season (No. 8 in the NFL).
- Tampa Bay is averaging 32.5 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 3 in the NFL).
- Tampa Bay is surrendering 24.0 PPG this season (T-No. 17 in the NFL).
Bears vs Buccaneers Prediction
The Bears vs Buccaneers NFL betting prediction uses the ESPN Football Power Index.
Bears: 18.6%
Buccaneers: 81.2%
Tie: 0.1%
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