Bears vs. Bucs Film Analysis: Devin Bush's Top Game-Changing Plays

Ben Johnson's immediate postgame thoughts matched what he saw on film the following day -- linebacker Devin Bush excelled in the Chicago Bears' 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. 

The veteran linebacker finished with nine total tackles, 1.5 stuffs, two passes defensed and a quarterback pressure. 

"A number of guys stood out," Johnson said. "I already talked about (DB) Jaylon Johnson's interception for a touchdown. That was a huge play in that game. I thought Devin Bush played one of his best games as a Chicago Bear, which was outstanding to see."

Veteran defensive back Cam Lewis shared during his Monday media availability what Bush has meant to the Bears on the field and in the locker room.

"Off the field, he's a goofball, but a great guy to be around, great teammate," Lewis said. "But on the field, man, you just see like yesterday, he was just flying around, just making plays and that's what you kind of want in your linebacker position. Just guys that do the dirty work, go out there, make plays. He can cover, he can tackle, he can go sack the quarterback. Just a great player to have on your team."

Everything that Lewis highlighted in Bush's game he displayed on Sunday night. Here are some of his best plays from the Week 9 win over the Buccaneers. 

Bush can cover ground as an inside linebacker and has the speed to run with tight ends and most running backs in the NFL. He can also open up his hips and run stride for stride with pass catchers downfield, which he shows on this second-and-9 play. Tight end Cade Otton runs a wheel route down the right sideline, and Bush runs him to the sideline, giving quarterback Baker Mayfield nowhere to throw. 

With 7:11 left in the second quarter, the Buccaneers decide to go for a fourth-and-1 attempt from their own 35-yard line. Tampa Bay calls a QB sneak to Mayfield, but Bush is left unblocked and hits the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage. Jeffery Simmons is triple teamed on this play, allowing defensive lineman James Lynch to help Bush make the tackle for a turnover on downs. 

This play perfectly encapsulates the impact Simmons adds when he is on the field.

The Simmons effect continued throughout the entire game, including this first-and-20 play in the third quarter. The Bears' defensive tackle is lined up in a 4i, inside shade of the Buccaneers' right tackle and on the snap he moves down the line to engage with the right guard. Right tackle Luke Goedeke goes in Simmons' direction, leaving a lane for Bush to rush through. 

Although Bush doesn't bring down Mayfield, his disruption in the backfield allows defensive lineman Shemar Turner to finish the play with sack. 

Bush gets all the credit for this first-an-10 tackle with 4:32 left in the third quarter. The veteran linebacker saw the jet motion to wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and didn't allow right tackle Goedeke to get an angle. Bush runs toward the Bears' sideline and delivers a big-time hit to limit the Buccaneers to a 1-yard gain. 

This was a complete game from Bush, who showed coverage recognition, speed and physicality to finish plays. The Bears will need this version of Bush to continue for the rest of the season when the team returns from their Week 10 bye, especially with four games against NFC North opponents still left on the schedule. Plus, tough non-divisional games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.