INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Khalil Herbert #24 of the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Following their latest loss to the rival Packers, the Chicago Bears head south to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers.
You may recall a year ago on a Thursday night at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears held on to defeat the eventual Super Bowl champions, 20-19. It was a game that showed that Tom Brady and the Buccaneers may not have been ready for prime time. Meanwhile, Matt Nagy’s club was on the way to a 5-1 start.
Of course, that strong opening was followed by a six-game losing streak. They rallied down the stretch around quarterback Mitch Trubisky – now a member of the Buffalo Bills. Chicago claimed a wild card berth with an 8-8 record and were one-and-out come playoff time.
Of course, Brady and company hoisted the Lombardi Trophy this past season. Now the Bucs host Nagy’s team in an attempt to extend their 5-1 record. Are the Bears capable of pulling off the upset?
5. RB Khalil Herbert runs for 100-plus yards
He was a sixth-round draft choice this year from Virginia Tech (via the University of Kansas). And he’s done a pretty good job out of the backfield with David Montgomery sidelined. He ran 18 times for 75 yards in the win over the Raiders. Last week, there were 19 carries for 97 yards and a score in the loss to Green Bay.
The Buccaneers have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in the league this season. That’s not exactly breaking news considering that the team turned that trick in both 2019 and 2020. But look for Herbert to stun Todd Bowles’ unit with a c-note effort thanks to plenty of carries.