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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Run, Bucky, run.

The Bucs found their identity in Dallas a few weeks back — and they’re planning on doing the Texas two-step on their way to a division title. If not for a late-game meltdown against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay would be taking a 4-game winning streak into Sunday night’s matchup at Soldier Field.

Zac Robinson came to his senses and realized the path to victory runs through Bucky Irving. Now that he’s back to his sensational rookie form of 2024, Irving is the one who sets the tone behind an ornery offensive line that exudes physicality.

When Irving runs for at least 80 yards, the Bucs are 10-1 in the past three seasons. When Irving doesn’t reach that plateau, Tampa Bay is 8-16. Coincidence? Not on your life.

“It’s the way he sees the holes and the way he cuts,” says Irving’s backfield partner Kenny Gainwell. “You can’t teach that.”

But you can learn from it.

What the Bucs learned is the ground game is the strength of this offense. A line ravaged by injuries in 2025 took a few weeks to regain the nasty form that led to a 10-win season when Tristan Wirfs and company were healthy.

“We kind of took a year off,” center Graham Barton told me in the aftermath of Sunday’s 16-0 victory against Atlanta. “It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why it took awhile to get going this season. But now I think we sort of just found a recipe and it’s been working. We’ve got to keep coming out, sticking to our game plan, sticking to our guns.”

In three of the past four games, the Bucs have imposed their will up front. Gainwell has made a major contribution, but Irving’s the weapon that strikes fear into opposing defenses.

Sunday’s prime-time matchup figures to be a quick game. While the Bears lead the NFL in rushing attempts, the Bucs are No. 2.

Tampa Bay ranks first with 10 carries of at least 20 yards and three runs of at least 40 yards. Tampa Bay also boasts the most rushing first downs. Something has to give down near the goal line Sunday night. The Bears have scored an NFL-high 17 touchdowns on the ground while Tampa Bay has allowed only three rushing scores.

It’s worth noting the Bears just traded for elite defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who made an immediate impact during an impressive win at Seattle. The presence of Simmons in the middle makes it even more challenging to solve an aggressive unit that already tops the league in third-down defense.

Chicago allowed an average of 117 rushing yards during the first three weeks and that yield has shrunk to 69 yards in the last five games. Unlike the monsoon that engulfed Raymond James Stadium, weather shouldn’t be a factor Sunday evening, with only a 5 percent chance for rain.

No matter what the conditions are, this franchise isn’t about to abandon a winning formula that keeps the defense fresh and demoralizes opponents.

During the 2002 championship season, Jon Gruden led the weekly chants of “pound that rock.” That mantra has a new meaning for this group, even while Baker Mayfield takes a backseat to an overwhelming ground game.

At the moment, the 6-2 Bears may be the most complete team in the NFC. When they don’t beat themselves, they are tough to beat. In their losses against Minnesota and Green Bay, they were minus-7 in turnover differential.

While a loss won’t bury Tampa Bay’s playoff chances before the bye week, an upset would enhance them significantly. The best way to contain Ben Johnson’s potent attack is to keep Caleb Williams and friends stewing on the sidelines.

Mayfield surely won’t go another game without a single completion, but let’s face it — the Bucs lack a true No. 1 receiver. They’re tied with the hapless Eagles for fewest (13) completions of at least 20 yards and Tampa Bay’s passer rating of 72.6 ranks last in the NFC.

At some point, this passing game needs to be far more productive.

In the meantime, run, Bucky, run.