Tickets–None available. Sellout of 65,793.
TV-radio–WBBM-TV, Channel 2, Tim Ryan and Johnny Morris. WGN (720), Wayne Larrivee, Dick Butkus, Jim Hart.
The game–Bears 66th season opener. Bucs 10th season opener.
Last game–Oct. 21, 1984, in Tampa. Bears won 44-9. Jim McMahon threw three touchdown passes. Bears` defense limited Bucs to 45 rushing yards.
The records–Bucs lost to Steelers 42-27, lost to Falcons 23-14, beat Saints 14-10, lost to Redskins 20-7 in preseason. Bears lost to Cardinals 10-3, lost to Colts 24-13, lost to Cowboys 15-13, beat Bills 45-14 in preseason.
What to watch–When the Bucs have the ball, quarterback Steve DeBerg will try to get it to tight end Jimmie Giles and wide receivers Gerald Carter and Kevin House and take advantage early of a Bears` defense playing without holdouts Al Harris and Todd Bell. Bucs want a lead to allow running back James Wilder to become a factor.
When the Bears have the ball, quarterback Jim McMahon will use short passes in front of Bucs` linebackers and handoffs to running back Walter Payton to control the clock. Bears will try to exploit the shaky Bucs`
secondary over the middle.
Key matchups–Bucs` offensive left tackle George Yarno vs. Bears`
defensive right end Richard Dent. Yarno is a smart player who is more of a guard than a tackle. Pressure from Dent, who is hobbled by a hamstring muscle injury, is vital to the Bears` defense.
Bucs` tight end Jimmie Giles vs. Bears` right linebacker Wilber Marshall. Giles had problems getting clear of Bears` holdout Al Harris. Marshall is eager to prove the Bears won`t miss Harris.
Bears` center Jay Hilgenberg vs. Bucs` nose tackle David Logan. Without Lee Roy Selmon around for the first time in Bucs` history, there is added pressure on Logan to provide pressure.
Bears` flanker Dennis McKinnon vs. Bucs` left cornerback Jeremiah Castille. McKinnon can open up the Bears` offense with his blocking and receiving. The Bucs have been looking out for him since last season`s opener when McKinnon knocked cornerback Mike Washington out of football with a block. Bears` placekicker Kevin Butler vs. Bucs` placekicker Donald Igwebuike. Two rookies. Igwebuike didn`t even attempt a field goal during the preseason. Key injuries–Bucs: DE Ron Holmes (Achilles), LB Hugh Green (shoulder), LG Steve Courson (ankle), DE John Cannon (calf) all probable. Bears: LB Otis Wilson (knee-ankle), CB Leslie Frazier (thigh) both questionable; LT Jimbo Covert (thigh), DE Richard Dent (hamstring), CB Mike Richardson (ankle), RT Keith Van Horne (ankle) all probable.
