Ex-Bucs QB: Pass Game Will Doom Bucs In Chicago
November 7th, 2026
The mighty Bears, the Bucs’ opponent tomorrow, are perfect on primetime this season with wins against the Eagles, Patriots and Seahawks.
No shabby threesome there.
Can the Bucs hang with the Bears tomorrow in Chicago? Just like Jon Gruden, former Bucs QB Chris Simms isn’t feelng it.
The NBC Sports Xs and Os guru loves his former team, but Simms doesn’t see a Bucs passing game that can win against a stud team like Chicago.
Simms lauded the Bucs’ run game and said he expects a tight Chicago win, even if the Bucs run for 145-plus yards.
“As long as the [Bucs] don’t go for 150 [yards] or more [rushing], you’ve kind of been like, ‘Hey, that’s good. We’ll take that,'” Simms began.
“I don’t know if their pass game is good enough totally to expose the Bears that way, but I think the Bears will definitely be in some spots during the game where they’re going to be a little uncomfortable [against] the run and have to take some chances in the secondary. And that’s where I just think the Bucs will hang around here. I’m going Bears win, but 24-20. I think this is going to be a fun game to watch.”
It’s hard for Joe to argue against Simms here. Is there a reason to believe the Bucs’ passing game will magically arrive after struggles that date back to 2025?
The Bears have a strong defense, and it was strengthened with the addition of All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons two weeks ago.
Retired Hall of Fame head coach Bill Cowher told The Dan Patrick Show this week the Bears defense was a top-10 unit before Simmons arrived. Now they’re cooking with gas.
“You add a player like that, it just rejuvenates and energizes that locker room to another level,” Cowher said. “And we’re seeing it with the Chicago Bears, they’re for real. They’re for me, the best team in the NFC North.”
What a fun upset it would be for the 3-5 Bucs to knock off Chicago. It would deliver a shock in Tampa and beyond that would ripple for two weeks. The start their bye week after the game.
November 7th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
All that is required is an O line that will pass protect. Haven’t seen much of that this year. Any “expert” who doesn’t know that isn’t an expert at all. Not hard to find out. Just replay the games this year on NFL Sunday Ticket. Bucs have established run blocking. Past time to establish pass blocking. Hopefully they have been working at this in practice.
November 7th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Will David Walker start?
If we sack Williams in the 1st quarter. We can win.
We have to hit nail Polish boy early. And often!
David Walker deserves to start for the injured Diaby.
Will coach start Mohammed or Nelson? Just to act smart.
Or will coach listen to the fans, Ronde Barber, Ànd thé stats.
November 7th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Here is your reason Joe. They are well-rested my friend.
November 7th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Is anyone really going to listen to an ex Bucs QB lololol
November 7th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Efficiency on early downs, minimize penalties.
Zac and the offense supposedly had a meeting re: pass game and there were some adult conversations had. We haven’t had a need to throw much since then.
If we can pass protect and we get good Baker I can absolutely see us having success throwing against Chicago’s secondary.
Won’t be surprised if we struggle but I won’t be shocked if we throw for 300 and a few TDs.
Huge game for the offense, Zac, Baker. Also a really big game for the D.
Hoping we unlock the pass game finally Sunday. If that happens we’re going to be a tough out for anybody!
November 7th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Buccs are not as big of underdogs as people think. Per sharpfootball stat’s using the offense vs. defensive rankings index, the Buccs and Bears are pretty much even. Bears defense holds the edge vs. the Buccs offense overall, passing, and just a tick better in rush defense at 13th overall to our 14th in rushing ranking. The Buccs edge the bears defense in explosive plays and pressure allowed. The Bears only edge out the Buccs on offense in pressure (we’ve only generated the 30th ranked pressure while the Bears only allow pressure at #18), while the Buccs sweep the other categories: overall, passing, rushing, explosives. Although the Buccs just eek out Bears in allowing explosives at the tenth most while the Bears are 11th in the league in explosives.
I also looked up special team rankings where the Buccs are ranked sixth and the Bears are 16th. The Buccs are better in kicking and the return game, while Bears are better in punting and coverage.
I know this receiving corp can make plays. It’s been hard to gage them because week 1 is well week 1, when the entire team looked sloppy. We dropped a number of bigtime throws that game (Emeka, Otton, etc.). Two have been rain games (Cleveland and Carolina) and the rest have been with a back-up rookie. If the run game remains effective we will be able to take more shot plays downfield. The line is starting to block much better (like league best level)
November 7th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Simple T Says:
November 7th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Efficiency on early downs, minimize penalties.
Zac and the offense supposedly had a meeting re: pass game and there were some adult conversations had. We haven’t had a need to throw much since then.
If we can pass protect and we get good Baker I can absolutely see us having success throwing against Chicago’s secondary.
Won’t be surprised if we struggle but I won’t be shocked if we throw for 300 and a few TDs.
Huge game for the offense, Zac, Baker. Also a really big game for the D.
Hoping we unlock the pass game finally Sunday. If that happens we’re going to be a tough out for anybody!
——————————————————
Correct….the offense must avoid long third downs and avoid third downs if possible by mixing up the pass and runs on early downs. The bears defense is good at taking away efficiency (im guessing they use press man often and force the qb to get ride of the ball quicker, but will get beat in doing so from time to time) so we have to find ways to throw them off balance and fight off their press coverage whether its calling stuff we haven’t called and perhaps using a little razzle dazzle, RB/TE/WR screens, motion, tempo, etc. We haven’t ran many trick plays and their defense gives up explosives so this may be a great time to pull a few out of the bag for big gains and/our touchdowns, especially with the run game to keep them honest. Play action a ton on early downs and have Bake throwing in rhythm, on-time, and get rid of it if its not there. Designed scrambles would keep the defense honest, too!
November 7th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
Gipper Says:
November 7th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
All that is required is an O line that will pass protect. Haven’t seen much of that this year. Any “expert” who doesn’t know that isn’t an expert at all. Not hard to find out. Just replay the games this year on NFL Sunday Ticket. Bucs have established run blocking. Past time to establish pass blocking. Hopefully they have been working at this in practice.
—————————————————–
The Buccs have actually been one of the best pass protection units in the league all year per the metrics. Where the Buccs have gotten really hurt was picking up the blitz. A lot of that was on running backs and tightends getting flat out beat. Opposing teams knew that and were blitzing the crap out of us. The Buccs havent had to throw a ton the last few games, but when we have, it seems like the team has made better adjustments vs. the blitz. It will be a good test Sunday Night to see where we are pass pro wise with Simmons being added and the Buccs likley needing to put points up throwing the ball.
November 7th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Well of course everyone is going to say the Bucs have no pass game, because well they have had no pass game. When was the last time EE or CG had an explosive play ?, Tez ,yes here and there but he is more of the speciality guy. Hurst?, well he has rookie drops syndrome. J Mac is out. Otten, see Hurst but delete rookie. So the question who is Baker going to throw too. ME is hurt and in SF.
So I mean how do the Bucs win defense, turnovers, and a lot of hope!!!
Maybe right!!! Hope hope is really all we have.
Chi. Is not going to allow the Bucs to run. No will need to be some run and the pass.
November 7th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
The Bears are currently on an 11-game losing streak on Sunday nights, hopefully that continues…
November 7th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
believe it or not the Bucs could be 6-10 going into Week 18 at New Orleans with a must-win game at stake – the Bucs win the Stagg Bowl South and get a home playoff game – Licht Glazers Bowles rejoice – rinse and repeat
November 7th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Bucs are going to Bake.
November 7th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
The pass game will doom the Bucs because it is nonexistent.
With a scrub QB that can’t hit a barn the only choice you have is to run the ball.
It works against fellow drecks of the league. But Sunday night reality sinks in.
The Bucs are the dancer at the club that is too ugly to tip $20. But she’ll accept $1 so at least she’s cheap.
Bowles will find a way to lose in prime time. That’s his superpower.
November 7th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
ProffeserVonBrainDrain: And the whole forum here will be cheering as our boys stuff all of your diatribe from this week down your throat!
Go Bucs!!
November 7th, 2026 at 6:21 pm
Aquabum
“Is anyone really gonna listen to an Ex- Buc QB?’
I’d listen to Doug Williams, Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, and Tom Brady.
All Ex Buc QBs who won a Super Bowl.
When it comes to Football, I’d listen to any QB who won the ring.
November 7th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
Prophylactic Von Brain Storm….He’s a guru!! The storm part is crazy!!
November 7th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
@BrownStain
The only throat stuffing will be from your Todd Bowles doll.
You can learn a lot from a dummy!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
November 7th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
@Steves Swollen Vag
Bowles is the Sultan of suck!!! Bears will show just how inept he truly is as a HC.
Going to enjoy handing the Pom Pom squad their collective arses tomorrow night during the game.
November 7th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
No way our passing game does anything.
Mayfield said in an interview earlier this week, that he’s told his thumb won’t be healed and back to normal until the offseason.
He couldn’t even take a snap under center last week.
Jalon Daniels, like Kyle Trask before him, is done in the NFL. After a couple weeks worth of film- they figured out his arm is too weak to throw sideline out routes at the NFL level.
How are staff didn’t see that us unimaginable. Or the team went cheap, knowing Mayfield will play hurt.
Like he’s trying to do now.
So we don’t have a QB capable of throwing a football.
But even if we did, we have the worst pass blocking line in the NFL. Stats bear that out.
And the worst WR room in the NFL. Only one guy with experience. Godwin. And he’s getting famous on videos this year. Keep filming him walking away from plays
Pretty sure that he only looked good because of Evans. He looks talentless and like a loafer this season.
Weak, weak TE room. But Sharpe can destroy as a run blocker, and Paine is run blocking great too.
But as receivers? Nope.
So we gotta run., and try short passes in the flat.
Our passing game is bad.
Licht needs to find a decent WR for Mayfield.
But he won’t.
November 7th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
I hope it isn’t true and the Bucs find a passing game. Problem is that Baker needs pass blocking and the WRs to show up. something neither EE or Hurst have been able to do. Not sure if the OC is just terrible at play calling or the WRs are trash? CG and Otton need to be involved, Baker cant continue to throw screens behind the LOS to the RBs and WRs.
Also, red zone passing has been horrible. Think Zac needs to find some trick plays.
It’s going to be interesting to see if the Bucs can run the ball against the bears. If not it could be a long night.
November 7th, 2026 at 6:54 pm
If Jason were smart, he would trade a late round draft pick to the Jets for Shep. Our WRs are so bad if you locked them in a closet with a football they would either drop it or lose it.
November 7th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Most anticipated game of the year for Bucs fans.
Keep it close, minimize mistakes and have a chance to win it in the 4th quarter. The Bucs will double Simmons and TE’s will motion block in the run game.
Mayfield is key- be decisive and get rid of the ball quickly and accurately like he did against the Seahawks last year.
November 7th, 2026 at 7:08 pm
Gainwell!!! till he pukes please!!
Pitt!! Philly!!
This game is tailored made for him!!
Kenny!!
November 7th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
I’ll give professerlynhcmob and his fellow crybaby poo sniffers credit.
Consistently negative but at least also ignorant 👍🏼🤣
What did y’all predict for the Atlanta game? What about Carolina?
November 7th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Baker will toss the game away in the second quarter lol and you Bucs fans know that
November 7th, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Penix and Young were the 2 hottest qb ‘s.. The Todd shut them down!!
Gainwell and the defense
Bears are toast!
November 7th, 2026 at 7:19 pm
And Prescott!! Not to shabby!
Run the ball play Defense
Its been working in football
Since the Dawn of time!!
Old Skool Bowles vs Kid Johnson
I love football!!
November 7th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
ProfesserVonDoofus,
Back to your racist rants on Todd Bowles. It’s sickening but expected from you.
November 7th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
No idea if the pass game works if you don’t need the pass game to work, I hope we get embarrassed 48-3 so we can get a new HC next year, we win or lose close, our closing schedule is weak enough to keep Bowles
November 7th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
We shut them down and score at will I’m going to not wtf to do
November 7th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
Bears 49 bucs 9
November 7th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
If the D can get some Bear turnovers and the O use some play action passes on 1 st down. then the Bucs may upset the Bears. We’ll see what happens in about 24 hours!!
November 7th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Simms … “And we’re seeing it with the Chicago Bears, they’re for real. They’re for me, the best team in the NFC North.”
IF the Bucs beat the Bears, they’ll fall to 6-3. And IF the other NFC North teams win, the Bears will be in LAST PLACE in the NFC North with that record.
And on top of that, they’ve already lost to the Vikings AND to the Packers, so I’d be wary of annointing them for anything too early. We’re only halfway thru the season.