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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not about to lose to Chicago Bears yet again.
The Buccaneers were defeated by the Bears in the last season, but they got revenge with a victory of 38-3 at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay improved to 6-1 with Mike Evans and now has won four consecutive games.
Chicago's offense was unable to score throughout the game and fell to 3-4 for its second consecutive loss.
Notable Player Stats
Tom Brady, QB, TB: 20-of-36 for 211 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Mike Evans, WR/TB: 6 catches, 76 yards and 3 TDs
Chris Godwin, WR/TB: 8 catches, 111 yards and 1 TD
Leonard Fournette, RB, TB: 15 carries for 81 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches for 9 yards
Justin Fields, QB, CHI: 22-of-32 for 184 yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs; 8 carries for 38 yards
Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI: 18 carries for 100 yards; 5 catches for 33 yards
Tom Brady continues his greatness and throws his 600th TD
Both teams were without key players, with Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown and Lavonte Dave among those who were out for Tampa Bay. Akiem Hicks was also out for Chicago's rush rush. Robert Quinn was also missing.
Quinn and Hicks would not be able to play against any team without Quinn, much less one with Brady passing the ball around. It was obvious when the all-time great threw touchdowns in the first quarter to Evans and Chris Godwin. The second was his 600th career touchdown pass.
Brady's assault on Evans continued in the second quarter, with Evans scoring two more touchdowns. One came on the play after Evans connected with him on a deep ball.
Brady's incredibleness is evident when he throws six consecutive incompletions at once. He tied his career-high at 35-3, according to CBS. However, he had his team up at intermission at 35-3 against a defense that has impressed at times.
For fantasy football players, the second half was just a formality. However, Tampa Bay continued to dominate and use the clock. Chicago was so frustrated by the situation that Bilal Nichols had to be ejected because he had thrown a punch.
The Bears are not Super Bowl contenders but they entered play at 3-3 after a convincing win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Their strength is their pass rush, but Brady and his Buccaneers were able to overcome any obstacle at any stage and send a message for the rest of NFC.
They remain the team to beat.
Justin Fields Struggles for Loss and Gets No Help
For a struggling Bears team, wins are not the most important thing. Chicago has been without a true franchise quarterback in Chicago for decades. Justin Fields is the Windy City's hope that this will change.
Visitors will be disappointed to learn that some novices are placed in a position to succeed while others are not.
Fields was a victim of poor protection, dropped passes, and a game that was wildly improbable in the first quarter. He was subject to constant pressure and ended up with three strip sacks in halftime. Dee Delaney also got an interception for Fields on account of a poor move out of the pocket that he made.
The difference between Chicago and Tampa Bay was obvious from the beginning. Bears fans were quick to worry about Fields' development and health while Fields was being forced to throw every time the game was still in balance.
The second half was even worse when Darnell McMooney let another pass, which was catchable but high, bounce off his hands. For Fields' second interception, the second one went to Jordan Whitehead. It might have made Fields reminisce about his time at Ohio State throwing to Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.
Fields still has some work to do before he can become a game-changing NFL QB. Sunday was an insufficient step. He also lost the support of his teammates in the blowout defeat.
What's next?
Both teams will remain in the NFC until the Bears host San Francisco 49ers, while the Buccaneers face the New Orleans Saints.
