“Rookie Quarterback Against Todd Bowles? I Don’t Like It”

October 23rd, 2021

Big game for Bucs defense?

Numbers on paper show the Bucs ought to maul Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields.

One guy who thinks this game is an awful mismatch in favor of the Bucs is former NFL suit and coffee-fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, Michael Lombardi.

Lombardi broke the game down on his podcast GM Shuffle and said the one thing the Bears can do, the Bucs simply don’t let teams do. And that is run.

“You have a rookie quarterback and you have Todd Bowles,” Lombardi began. Bowles is “going to attack all these Matt Nagy protections. And he’s going to do a good job of it.

“The one strength that the Bears have is their ability to run the football the last two weeks. They can run the football. They ran it on Green Bay. They ran it on Las Vegas. They’re not going to run the ball on Tampa. They’re not going to run the ball.

“Now Chicago goes on the road. Bad lines [offensive] lines don’t travel.

“Can [the Bears] stop [the Bucs]? Can they put pressure on [Tom] Brady? They stopped Brady last year in Chicago. This is a different game. If Robert Quinn doesn’t play, that could be a challenge.

“Rookie quarterback against Todd Bowles? I don’t like it [for the Bears]. I don’t like [Bears offensive coordinator] Bill Lazor vs. Todd Bowles. I don’t like Matt Nagy vs. Todd Bowles.”

Lombardi seems to think if the Bucs’ offense is clicking, this game will be a blowout.

Lombardi’s co-host Adnan Virk had a very, very interesting stat to Joe. Fields is absolutely horrible against the blitz. Virk noted Fields has a 39 percent completion percentage against the blitz with zero touchdowns and two picks.

Guess who likes to blitz? Bowles has his Bucs defense blitzing 37 percent of the snaps this season, which is second-highest in the NFL.

So on paper, this game should be, as Dick Vitale would say, “an M&Mer, bay-bee!”

22 Responses to ““Rookie Quarterback Against Todd Bowles? I Don’t Like It””

  1. SOEbuc Says:

    JTS gonna show up against the rookie.

  2. NCBucfan Says:

    Anybody still have nightmares when Tribisky lit up that Smitty D in 2018? That still haunts me to this day!

  3. Tim in PSL Says:

    Historically, games like this, games that the Bucs should win have been trap games for the Bucs. After the Bucs broke up their Super Bowl defense, they haven’t fared that will against rookie QB’S. Maybe all that is different since Tommy Touchdown is here. We’ll see.

  4. SufferingSince76 Says:

    Just win and that will be good enough. Hopefully, AB and LVD will be available for the slimy Saints.

  5. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Win the game and move on. The goal now.is getting players healthy. Bears have 3rd best pass defense in league. The loss if AB, Gronk, Scotty & Crystal Howard (potential ankle) is not good for offense production. I don’t think Brate can handle all the snaps. Big dose of Lenny & Gio. What’s BA’s plan? Oops almost forgot he doesn’t know he missed the meeting.

  6. Joe Says:

    Anybody still have nightmares when Tribisky lit up that Smitty D in 2018?

    Was there to witness it live. PTSD issues from it. 🙁

  7. Jerry Says:

    Looks like it may be a wet game too. 50% chance of rain during the game.

  8. David Says:

    Total blow up. I’ve been saying it for two weeks. The Bears can’t pass, they run the ball. They are not running against the Bucs.
    And there is no doubt in my mind the office will roll because they feel embarrassed about last year. Brady as a little chip on the shoulder with this one

  9. Joshua porter Says:

    JTS should have a huge day . Peter’s is 39 and slow and doesn’t do well with speed rushers . These boys should feast this weekend

  10. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Oh no, inclement weather? We all saw what happened last time. Bucs don’t practice for inclement weather.

  11. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Bring em on……6-1 on the way……..

  12. SKBucsFan Says:

    We all know how the Bucs seem to play against backup QB’s. I know it’s early in Fields career but he is a backup at best.

  13. Rod Munch Says:

    The Bucs always lose on the road to the Bears, always, and the Bucs normally blow the Bears out at home, although not as often as my memory would have me believe.

  14. Ben green Says:

    TB isn’t a great coordinator. His in game adjustments are either non existent, or they make things worse. The talent gap is the reason they’ll crush the bears. Both coordinators and the head coach could disappear, and it wouldn’t make a bit of difference. They can’t throw, so y’all are lucky this week. The only close games the bucs will have until the playoffs, will be against teams that have a decent pocket passer, and weapons to throw to.

  15. Darin Says:

    Should be could be. Let’s see it!

  16. The Beer Whisperer Says:

    Justin Fields, might squeak loose on a run or three. But he ain’t carrying the Bears to a win.
    He makes poor QB decisions, and does not work well under pressure.

    The Justin Fields hype train, is running low on coal.

    No way, the Bears offense keep up with the Bucs offense. (points wise)

  17. crazybucs_CL Says:

    @“Rookie Quarterback Against Todd Bowles? I Don’t Like It”
    ———-
    I dont like any QB against DC Toooood 😶

  18. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Lombo is pretty solid in his weekly analysis. He may have been a coffee fetcher for said coaches, but he definitely learned the game.

    GO BUCS!!!!!!

  19. You gotta be crazy Says:

    @Ben Green….lol..huh? Get off of Pete’s meds dude. Holy sh**

  20. You gotta be crazy Says:

    Seriously… Do y’all watch the games? Even with the D starters out they’re winning. Which means the back ups are even deadlier when playoffs come n they’re back. BA might not attend O meetings but he never gives up too much on film… They’re just playing the other teams till playoffs n then the real game plan comes in. Go Bucs

  21. Zoocomics Says:

    Historically speaking, rookie QBs have done well again Todd Bowles’ Tampa Defenses. I point to 3 games that I thought we’d dominate yet we essentially got torched. The first, Danny Dimes in year 1, putting up 336 yds, 2 passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs. Same year, Kyler Murray put up 324 yds, 3 TDs. The next one would be Justin Herbert last year putting up 290 yds and 3 TDs. 2/3 of those games we won, but not short of those rookie QBs putting up stellar performances. Gardner Minshew might be the only QB we faced as a rookie that didn’t exactly look good, though as I recall he had moments. Bears defense has been trouble for us since they acquired Khalil Mack. I hope with all the injuries that we still put up good numbers and that we get the W.
    Go Bucs!

  22. Rob In Land O Lakes Says:

    “Anybody still have nightmares when Tribisky lit up that Smitty D in 2018? That still haunts me to this day!”

    I was at Soldier Field for that game…. and yes I do!