Bears vs. Buccaneers: This matchup could decide game’s outcome in Week 2

Our must-watch spotlight in Week 1’s Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers game barely had a dress rehearsal. Jaire Alexander was excellent in coverage for Green Bay, but his combat with DJ Moore never really transpired.

Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s downfield passing was almost non-existent, leaving Moore with (checks notes) two targets.

It’s something that many Bears fans did not expect to see, given all of the hype surrounding Moore’s presence in Chicago. Yet, he was certainly efficient, turning both targets into receptions for a combined 25 yards. We could sit here all day and dissect why Getsy called the plays the way he did and limited Moore, but I fear we’d finish with more questions than answers.

It wasn’t a pretty afternoon at Soldier Field in Week 1, with the Bears taking a 38-20 loss to their division rivals. The potential shift in division dominance that was initially expected will be put on hold for now.

However, the Bears will look to use Week 1 as a building block toward more consistency when they travel to Tampa Bay for a Week 2 battle with the Buccaneers.

Here’s my pick for the matchup to watch in that game.

Mike Evans (WR) vs. Jaylon Johnson/Tyrique Stevenson (CB)

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was efficient in Tampa Bay’s 2023 opener, averaging 11 yards per reception and notching a touchdown.

The Bears’ secondary, meanwhile, was…not great against the Packers. They played weak zone on several crucial downs that ultimately moved the chains for Green Bay, and they were torched on some big plays. The same defensive scheme won’t work against this Buccaneers team that upset the Vikings in Minnesota.

With this being a road game for the Bears, they’ll have their work cut out for them. Evans has played well against members of this current Chicago secondary in years past, scoring a combined four touchdowns over the last two meetings between the Bucs and the Bears.

And while Brady was at the helm for those two matchups, Baker Mayfield showed a surprising amount of poise in Week 1. A budding connection between Mayfield and Evans can be problematic for opposing defenses as the season rolls on, and the Bears will have an opportunity to shut that down on Sunday.

I still think that Jaylon Johnson is one of the more underrated corners in the NFL. Per Pro Football Focus, Johnson gave up one catch for 13 yards against the Packers in Week 1. He was targeted only four times, proving that other teams recognize his dominance in the secondary.

Mayfield may try to exploit the inexperience of rookie corner Tyrique Stevenson to avoid Johnson. But Stevenson’s physical build and aggression are already noticeable in the Bears’ defense, making the matchup of these two corners and an elite wide receiver something to monitor.

Who wins the matchup?

It’s a bit of a toss-up. I could see Mayfield spreading the ball around a bit and targeting Chris Godwin more if Evans is contained early. Pending the Bears’ D-line stability, the Bucs may try to work more play-calling toward Rachaad White (who they tried to get going in Week 1).

Ultimately, Mike Evans is always a tough opponent for the Bears, with a proven track record in recent years. Still, I think Chicago’s secondary will bounce back this week, with Jaylon Johnson making a big impact. He may not get turnovers or force fumbles, but his tight coverage and Stevenson’s increasing comfort can prove problematic for Evans’ production on Sunday.

At least, I certainly hope that’s the case.

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