Ben Burns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Opinion (Over 35)
Currently down to 35 at many books, this is the lowest total on the Week 3 board. I think that's a little too low.
These teams last met in 2006, a December game which was played in Chicago. The game was expected to be low-scoring, as it also had an over/under line of 35. It sailed over that mark, finishing with a whopping 65 points.
Including that shootout, the Bears have seen 15 of their last 20 home games eclipse the total. Not exactly what you'd expect from a team known for having a good defense and a poor offense. The Bears are averaging 23 points per game through two games this season.
It should be noted that kick returner Devin Hester is questionable. I wouldn't normally mention a special teams player, but Hester is exceptional. The speedster's got serious game-breaking ability and is a threat to go the distance every time he has the football.
Hester often causes the opposing team to kick a shorter distance (or out of bounds) to avoid having him get his hands on it. This typically leads to the Bears starting with good field position.
I don't know anything more than what I've read in the papers, but it's my feeling that Hester will play. He was quoted in Thursday's Chicago Sun Times as saying: "I am pushing for it. I'm feeling a lot better so I am hoping by the end of the week I will have no pain or anything like that."
When asked whether or not he would kick to Hester, Tampa coach Jon Gruden responded: "That probably wouldn't be very smart on our part. I've kind of seen over the years, this guy is very dangerous. We'll have to be very selective and be careful of how we kick to him."
As for the Bucs, the total in their last seven road games have have all reached 38 or higher. Those seven games averaged 42.9 combined points and six of them finished above the number.
Tampa Bay is averaging 22 points per game this season and has scored a minimum of 20 in each game. Brian Griese, who was with Chicago last year, is expected to get another start and he should be itching to put up some good numbers against his former team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears
Opinion (Over 35)
Currently down to 35 at many books, this is the lowest total on the Week 3 board. I think that's a little too low.
These teams last met in 2006, a December game which was played in Chicago. The game was expected to be low-scoring, as it also had an over/under line of 35. It sailed over that mark, finishing with a whopping 65 points.
Including that shootout, the Bears have seen 15 of their last 20 home games eclipse the total. Not exactly what you'd expect from a team known for having a good defense and a poor offense. The Bears are averaging 23 points per game through two games this season.
It should be noted that kick returner Devin Hester is questionable. I wouldn't normally mention a special teams player, but Hester is exceptional. The speedster's got serious game-breaking ability and is a threat to go the distance every time he has the football.
Hester often causes the opposing team to kick a shorter distance (or out of bounds) to avoid having him get his hands on it. This typically leads to the Bears starting with good field position.
I don't know anything more than what I've read in the papers, but it's my feeling that Hester will play. He was quoted in Thursday's Chicago Sun Times as saying: "I am pushing for it. I'm feeling a lot better so I am hoping by the end of the week I will have no pain or anything like that."
When asked whether or not he would kick to Hester, Tampa coach Jon Gruden responded: "That probably wouldn't be very smart on our part. I've kind of seen over the years, this guy is very dangerous. We'll have to be very selective and be careful of how we kick to him."
As for the Bucs, the total in their last seven road games have have all reached 38 or higher. Those seven games averaged 42.9 combined points and six of them finished above the number.
Tampa Bay is averaging 22 points per game this season and has scored a minimum of 20 in each game. Brian Griese, who was with Chicago last year, is expected to get another start and he should be itching to put up some good numbers against his former team.
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