The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a surprising 0-2 to start the 2023 season. And while Baker Mayfield deserves a ton of credit in his latest redemption story, it’s undoubtedly Tampa Bay’s defense leading the way for a resurgence in Florida. We saw it on Sunday as the Buccaneers rattled Justin Fields with consistent pressure. They even snagged an embarrassing game-clinching pick-six off the third-year quarterback in the final moments.
In the post-game, veteran linebacker Lavonte David said something eye-opening. He explained that the Buccaneers’ defense saw Chicago’s slip-screen play coming because offensive coordinator Luke Getsy used the “same formation” from a previous play and, really, for most of the game.
When Barrett successfully predicted the play, the rest was history. Professional football defenders are simply too good to give them a leg up schematically:
More locker room video from Sunday: Lavonte David says “everybody knew what was coming” from Bears on Shaq Barrett’s game-clinching pick-six: pic.twitter.com/F3tdDsjGy4
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 18, 2023
Sunday was a tale of two organizations. The Buccaneers still have plenty of talent over from their Super Bowl 55 championship team, especially on defense. And they look like an easy early-season success story because of it. The Bears, meanwhile, have a struggling young quarterback and a squad that somehow looks worse than the one that earned the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.
No wonder the Buccaneers took advantage of Chicago’s miscues.
This was how Twitter reacted to David calling the Bears' play call predictable
Getsy was definitely one of those "only runs 3 plays" guys when he played Madden back in the day. https://t.co/Wdt9JoWTiu
— Bill Zimmerman (@BillTZimmerman) September 18, 2023
I have no words. Getsy should be getting an unemployment check. https://t.co/pTjYqwDu67
— illwill (@79illwill) September 18, 2023
Burn it with fire. 2 weeks in a row an opposing player has said the Bears were overly predictable. Last week it was on defense, this week on offense. 😠 https://t.co/RUMrcVALlH
— EJ Snyder (@FootballEJ) September 18, 2023
RIP Getsy https://t.co/XwFn7CpoXb
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) September 18, 2023
Is a "good play call" one where the defense knows what's coming?
Asking for a friend… https://t.co/s9V4d5COQ3
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) September 18, 2023
Suprise.
When you consistently run the same play in the same situations the defense can anticipate it 🤯 https://t.co/lQ5fCAduMi
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) September 18, 2023
Defensive coordinators and defensive players are smart. They will take what you want to do away. You have to adjust.
An offensive guru knows his players, their skillset and puts them in a position to succeed, then adjusts, and does it again, then adjusts, and does it again… https://t.co/uPNPTyifTu
— Danikin (@Danikin_DG3) September 18, 2023
Save for the one year Adam Gase was calling plays, I feel like an opposing defender has said this about a Bears offense at least once a season.
Time is a flat circle and I hate it. https://t.co/uzktlJwCk7
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) September 18, 2023
That is Getsy issue.
Does not let Justin off the hook for yesterday but with the game on the line, give your guys a chance.#DaBears https://t.co/TbSjEYjSOD
— Mason West (@WestSportsPT) September 18, 2023
