Once every 13 meetings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Bears. So why are they so happy to play the Bears again Sunday?
”This was the last team we played that we had some success against that we can taste,” said Tampa Bay coach Ray Perkins.
Since winning 42-35 Oct. 8 in Tampa to end a streak of 12 losses to the Bears, the 3-7 Bucs have lost five straight to fall from first to fourth in the NFC Central.
”We`ve done some real good things in the five losses,” said Perkins,
”but it is hard to show a player that. The player wants to win. And I want to win. So that`s what it`s going to take to get a good taste back in our mouths.”
Tampa has given up an average of 34.8 points during its skid.
”After that Bear game, we went downhill, and we`re disappointed we haven`t won since then,” said Vinny Testaverde, who threw three TD passes against the Bears and has 15 for the season.
”I don`t think that game really had anything to do with losing five games in a row. A week after that, when we played Detroit and lost in the closing seconds (17-16), that really hurt us in a big way.”
The Bucs` victory over the Bears temporarily catapulted them to the top of the division.
”It was a real big win for us at the time and still is,” said Perkins.
”It tells us we can beat a good football team like the Bears.
”At the same time, it might have gone to our heads a little. It took away from our concentration as far as getting ready for the next week. We were without our starting quarterback then, too. But we still should have won.”
Neither the Bears nor the Bucs have been the same since that Oct. 8 game. The Bucs have gone 0-5, the Bears 2-3.
”The only difference between us now and five weeks ago is that our confidence level was higher five weeks ago,” said Perkins. ”Over the last five weeks, we`ve had some things happen to us, like injuries in the offensive line (both guards, John Bruhin and Mike Simmonds, have been on injured reserve).”
The Bears also have a key offensive lineman injured, center Jay Hilgenberg. But he plans to play despite a torn calf muscle.
The Bears` defense is healthier than it was the last time the teams met. Trace Armstrong and Richard Dent were hurting then.
”The Bears have improved a lot in a lot of different areas,” said Testaverde. ”They look like a new team compared to when we played them six weeks ago. We`re ready for a physical game.
”Minnesota (which sacked Testaverde seven times last week) is one of the best teams in the league as far as their defense is concerned. I believe they are No. 1 now, and Chicago is not far behind as far as putting pressure on the quarterback.
”The Bears are doing some things differently, moving people around. I have to concentrate and pick out the things they are doing and not let them confuse me.”
