Key Player Matchups To Watch: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to improve to 2-0 on the season when they welcome the Chicago Bears to Raymond James Stadium for their home opener. There has been some key injury news for both clubs that have changed some of the potential matchups for this weekend's tilt.
I take a look at the top matchups between the players on offense and defense to watch for on Sunday.
Key Matchups On Offense
RB Rachaad White vs LB Tremaine Edmunds
The Bears brought in Edmunds as their high-price free agent on the defensive side of the ball. A downhill linebacker, he is a tremendous tackler who can throw a wrench into the Buccaneers' plans at establishing the run.
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White left a lot of meat on the bone last weekend and was not happy with his performance. He’ll need to have better patience to let holes develop and grind his way through to pick up the extra yardage he missed last week.
WR Chris Godwin vs NCB Greg Stroman
This is a tasty matchup for the Bucs. Earlier in the week the Bears signed Stoman from the practice squad to the active roster after starting nickelback Kyler Gordon was placed on injured reserve with a hand injury. His backup, Josh Blackwell, hasn’t practiced in two days and is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
The Bucs will rotate players in the slot but Godwin should see a ton of work. It’s a mismatch the offense should be able to take advantage of and one the Bears will need to find answers for.
RT Luke Goedke vs DE Yannick Ngakoue
Goedeke was pretty stout Week 1 against the Vikings in pass protection only giving up just two pressures and a sack. Although the sack wasn’t as much on him as it was on Baker Mayfield and Danielle Hunter’s relentless pursuit on the play.
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He’ll face Ngakoue on Sunday who is perhaps the Bears' best pass rusher. He had a sack in Week 1 against the Packers. But is pretty one-dimensional as he’s not great at setting the edge in the running game and is a liability in coverage. Goedeke will need to hold Ngakoue in check and improve on his run blocking for the Bucs to get the offense going early.
Key Matchups On Defense
LB Devin White vs RB Khalil Herbert
White had perhaps his best game as a buccaneer against the Vikings. He was playing fast, instinctual football. He was quick to make his reads and sound in his tackles and the Bucs will need him to play like that this Sunday as well.
He’ll be tasked with not only containing Herbert who went off last time he played the Bucs for 100 yards rushing and 33 yards receiving on five receptions, but also in limiting the damage Justin Fields can do as a runner as well.
CB Zyon McCollum vs WR D.J. Moore
With Carlton Davis out with a turf toe injury, McCollum is thrust into the starting spot against a very formidable opponent. Moore has torched the Buccaneers in the past and can be a problem with his ability to make plays after the catch.
To his credit, McCollum has been playing faster this season, but his tackling has left a lot to be desired. The Bears will likely target him early and often putting his coverage skills to the test. He’ll need to take property angles and wrap up to ensure Moore doesn’t hurt the Bucs badly on Sunday.
S Antoine Winfield Jr. vs QB Justin Fields
Winfield’s responsibilities just increased with the news of Carlton Davis being sidelined. He’ll need to spy Fields to ensure he doesn’t beat the Bucs with his legs but he’ll also likely be tasked with providing support over top to Zyon McCollum.
The Buccaneers' defense will try and force Fields to beat them as a passer but he still has a tendency to tuck it and run more frequently than not. He racked up 59 yards on the ground last week and Winfield will be the last line of defense to ensure he doesn’t torch the Bucs on Sunday.
READ MORE: Two Starters Will Be Out In The Buccaneers Home Opener
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
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