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)
After their recent loss to rival Packers, the Chicago Bears are moving south to take on reigning Super Bowl champion Buccaneers.
You may recall the Chicago Bears beating eventual Super Bowl champions 20-19 on a Thursday night at Soldier Field a year ago. It was a game that showed that Tom Brady and the Buccaneers might not be ready for prime time. Meanwhile, Matt Nagy’s club were on their way to a 5-1 start.
This strong opening was of course followed by a streak of bad luck of six games. They rallied around quarterback Mitch Trubisky – now a member of the Buffalo Bills. Chicago took a wildcard spot with an 8-8 record and was a playoff time.
Of course, Brady and Co. hoisted the Lombardi Trophy last season. Now the Bucs welcome Nagy’s team to extend their 5-1 record. Are the bears able to absorb the excitement?
5. RB Khalil Herbert runs 100 yards
It was a sixth round draft from Virginia Tech (via the University of Kansas) that year. And he did a pretty good job in the backcourt with David Montgomery offside. He ran 18 times for 75 yards in defeating the Raiders. Last week there were 19 carries for 97 yards and one 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 the team did this trick in both 2019 and 2020. But look to Herbert to stun Todd Bowles’ unit with a C note thanks to lots of carries.
