Strength Vs. Strength
November 8th, 2026
Alex Anzalone will be ready.
You may have heard somewhere that KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles likes to defend the run.
This year the Bucs are doing that at a high level. The Bucs are the No. 1 defense against the run. You know Bowles likes that.
That strength will be tested tonight. The Bears have one of the best rushing attacks in the league. Consider what Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis dug up.
* The Bears average 64.0 more rushing yards per game than their opponents, 2nd in the league.
* 68% (17 of 25) of Chicago’s touchdowns have been rushing, the highest rate in the league.
Joe has become a huge fan of rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter. He has racked up impressive numbers. He just might be the next Lavonte David. But it’s way early.
Joe is confident fellow inside Alex Anzalone, who played the Bears twice annually when he was in Detroit, will know what to do against Ben Johnson’s Chicago offense..
If the Bucs shut down the Bears on the ground, then the Bucs may have a super defense. The Bucs shouldn’t be intimidated by the Bears. Joe doesn’t see Bijan Robinson in their backfield.
“I think Todd Bowles will serve Caleb Williams and the Bears offense a slice of humble pie.” 👀👀 #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/jFmV0yf3I9
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) November 6, 2026
November 8th, 2026 at 7:42 am
Clay Harbor … “I think Todd Bowles will serve Caleb Williams and the Bears offense a slice of humble pie.”
Not sure what he’s been smoking, but it’s the premium stuff. If Bucs’ defense holds the Bears to under 20 points, it’ll have done very very well AND give our offense at least a chance to get us a win in Chicago.
November 8th, 2026 at 8:14 am
“Joe is confident fellow inside Alex Anzalone, who played the Bears twice annually when he was in Detroit, will know what to do against Ben Johnson’s Chicago offense..“
Johnson was the OC in Detroit with Anzalone there on there defense from ‘22 to the end of ‘24.
We’ll need a big game from our defense, might even need them to score in order to win this game tbh
November 8th, 2026 at 8:54 am
Why would you show Anzalone’s picture here Joe?
“Alex Anzalone ranks 72nd out of 80 linebackers in the NFL on missed tackle rate this season, posting a 14% missed tackle rate on 49 tackle opportunities across 8 games.”
Oh ya – Alex will be waiting… But will he make the tackle?
November 8th, 2026 at 8:56 am
I would have displayed Trotter’s pic instead of AA’s…
November 8th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Yaya’s recent surge notwithstanding, I’m curious what the pass rush will look like with what may very well next season’s OLBs and how they drop back into coverage of course, lol.
November 8th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Hey Marine, Alex has played well as of late so I’m defending Joe here, especially with Alex’ familiarity with Ben. By the way, there’s far more than 80 linebackers in the NFL so not sure about your data. Also not sure that I’m going to throw stones at what amounts to 7 missed tackles out of 49. Not even sure how that metric would be measured.
November 8th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Williams is human when blitzed (Like 99.9% of all qb’s)
One of the LB’s/DB’s will get a pick tonight..
Buc’s kill em with field goals
Chase with 5 tonight..
November 8th, 2026 at 9:21 am
ProfesserVonDoofus Von Doofus is Munch’s daddy? Check that, more like Munch’s mommy.
November 8th, 2026 at 9:54 am
@ walk
I agree – pass coverage has been solid the past few games.
However an MTR of 14% is inexcusable for an NFL ILB… Especially if he is wearing “the big C” on his jersey…
November 8th, 2026 at 9:57 am
LVD’s MTR last season was @ 15% and folks were going bananas about that…
But AA gets a free pass?
Sure – why not?