The Chicago Bears defense has a glaring hole that Tampa Bay’s rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst can target on Sunday night. On 286 pass attempts by opponents through eight contests, Chicago has allowed 23 completions reaching 20 yards or more. This 8% explosive completion rate ranks 20th in the NFL, according to Yahoo Sports. Opponents have also gained 6.01 yards, the second-highest total in the league. The numbers indicate trouble for a unit that prides itself on physical play.
Ted Hurst has the tools needed to address this vulnerability. He stands 6-foot-4 and possesses the speed to stretch the field vertically. This season, the rookie has caught 11 passes totaling 168 yards plus one touchdown. His average of 15.3 yards per catch shows he can make big plays when the ball is in the air. His longest reception is 40 yards, proving he can go deep. While he has gone without a reception in the last two games, those were low-volume passing games against Carolina and Atlanta. The Buccaneers attempted just 12 passes against the Panthers and three against the Falcons.
Opportunity for a Breakout
Sunday Night Football offers Hurst a prime stage to prove his worth against a struggling secondary. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson knows the Bears allow big plays and will likely design calls to exploit this. Baker Mayfield needs opportunities to take calculated shots downfield to move the chains. Although the Buccaneers have relied heavily on their run game lately, vertical routes and play action might surprise Chicago. Even if Hurst is not the primary target, his size creates matchup problems for Bears cornerbacks. Robinson can use his speed to attack the deep middle of the field.
The Bears have been productive in several defensive areas, but they cannot stop the big pass. This weakness gives Tampa Bay a clear path to score points in the red zone. If the Buccaneers can establish the run first, the play action will open up lanes for Hurst to catch the ball in stride.
Defensive Line Moves
While the offense looks to attack, the Bears are looking to fix their own defensive line. Next week, former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is scheduled to take part in a team workout, according to Yahoo Sports. This comes after head coach Ben Johnson indicated that Kentavius Street is “unlikely” to return this season. Elliott has made 65 career starts while amassing 159 tackles, 11 TFLs and 5 sacks. Tennessee head coach Robert Saleh has been an advocate for Elliott despite his recent release.
Saleh addressed the gun-related incident that led to Elliott’s departure by calling it a “terrible lapse in judgment.” He said, “I’ll tell you everything you need to know about him. He’s a good man.” Saleh also added that he would be willing to recommend Elliott to other teams looking for defensive line help. Chicago must balance Elliott’s experience with the context of his exit. The team already invested heavily at defensive tackle with Jeffery Simmons, but depth is key as the season progresses.
The Bears will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their upcoming game. The matchup takes place on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 8:20 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
