Thursday Night Football Week 5 Picks: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Chicago Bears
Two teams with matching records meet on Thursday Night Football in Week 5, but their journeys to 3-1 have looked a little different, with Brady’s Buccaneers looking far more convincing than the rudderless offense in Chicago. Let’s take a look at the matchup as well as Michael Norbury’s picks for this Week 5 Thursday Night Football matchup.
Defensive Solidarity
The Bears defense looks one of the better units in the NFL. 2019 saw them rank fourth in points conceded per game (18.6) and they sit in the top 10 once again as we progress through 2020 (seventh 20.2 YPG). The Buccaneers defense has looked almost as impressive as their Week 5 opponents, largely due to them working with a quarterback who isn’t constantly turning the ball over to the opposition.
Offensive Issues
Chicago’s offense is just downright bad. They’ve finally given up on Mitch Trubisky at quarterback but the jury is still well and truly out on whether Nick Foles is the answer. Their running game is non-existent and outside of the safe hands of Allen Robinson, their receiving corps leaves much to be desired.
Tampa Bay on the other hand have weapons aplenty, unfortunately they appear to be the latest team to be shattered by injuries. Chris Godwin and O.J. Howard miss this one; Mike Evans, Scotty Miller and Leonard Fournette are all doubtful, and even if they make it, won’t be 100% after a short recovery week to shake off their ailments.
What looked one of the the most fearful receiving corps in the NFL could be reduced to a seemingly over the hill Rob Gronkowski and a group of unproven or unknown wideouts. That does not bode well against this Bears defense.
The Verdict
If Tampa Bay had their full compliment of offensive weapons it would struggle to blow this Chicago team away, so it’s hard to make a case for this wounded version putting a big total on the scoreboard. The Bears offense doesn’t have the talent to blow any team away, certainly not this stubborn looking Tampa Bay outfit. The points line looks too big at 44.5. Play the under at 10/11 (Multiple sites).
SELECTION – UNDER 44.5 POINTS – (10/11 MULTIPLE SITES).
