Bucky Irving has become the engine of Tampa Bay’s offense, and the Bears are the next team tasked with slowing him down.
After a franchise-record rushing day against Atlanta, Irving heads into a matchup with Chicago carrying 728 rushing yards on 147 carries and a 5.0 yards-per-attempt average. He has topped 100 rushing yards in three of his last four games, and his 170-yard outing against the Falcons helped the Buccaneers pile up a franchise-best 324 rushing yards.
That kind of production makes him a problem for any defense, even one with Chicago’s numbers. The Bears are allowing just 86.8 rushing yards per game, good for fourth in the NFL, but they also give up 4.42 yards per carry, which ranks 22nd.
That split is where Tampa Bay can find some room to work. The Buccaneers have shown they can turn carries into chunk gains, and Irving’s blend of vision, burst, and contact balance has made him especially hard to bottle up when the blocking opens a lane.
Chicago does have some individual pieces that stand out. According to Pro Football Network’s Week 8 grades, linebacker Devin Bush posted an 82.6 grade, which ranked 11th among 77 qualifying linebackers.
Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons earned an 89.9 grade, good for third among 92 qualifying defensive tackles, while Grady Jarrett came in at 55.4, ranking 85th. Simmons’ presence, especially after his strong debut against Seattle, makes this a tougher assignment for Tampa Bay.
Still, the Buccaneers’ offensive line has been part of the reason the run game has taken off. Luke Goedeke earned a 90.3 run-blocking grade against Atlanta, and Tristan Wirfs posted an 85.9, according to PFF. Those numbers reflect how much better Tampa Bay has been at creating space at the line and getting backs into the second level.
If Irving gets rolling early, forces missed tackles, and breaks through the first wave, the Bears could be in for a long afternoon. And with Baker Mayfield still working his way back into the passing game, Tampa Bay may lean on its ground attack even more heavily. The Buccaneers have the league’s top rushing attack for a reason, and this game gives Irving another chance to prove that his recent surge is no fluke.
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Vita Vea Trade Buzz Puts Bucs Deadline Plan In Focus
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The interest from outside clubs only adds a layer of noise to a deadline season that already asks teams to choose between short-term help and long-term stability. For Tampa Bay, moving Vea would not just be a roster decision, it would alter the shape of the defense in a major way, which is why the more likely outcome still points toward him staying put as the Buccaneers sort through the market around them. [Read more 🡒]