NFL Media Already Doubting Caleb Williams, Bears Ahead of Week 9

The Chicago Bears are favored by six points on DraftKings Sportsbook heading into Sunday night's game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The Bears are a better team on record alone at 6-2, with the Buccaneers coming in at 3-5, even though they are on a two-game winning streak. 

The Buccaneers' defense has been solid this season. Tampa Bay leads the NFL in takeaways (16) and is third in total yards allowed (285.9) and fifth in points allowed per game (18.9). 

That defense is going to go up against the Bears' offense. The Bears' offense is third in yards (387.3), seventh in turnovers (12) and eighth in points per game (26.8)

The game should be a very fun watch. However, the media is already starting to not believe in the Bears. 

On a recent edition of ESPN's "Get Up," Donte Whitner weighed in on the game. He thought that Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers would humble the Bears on Sunday Night Football. 

"Absolutely, which is why I think this Tampa Bay defense and Todd Bowles will serve Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears offense a little slice of humble pie," Whitner said. "Topped with a little bit of vanilla ice cream. That's what they gonna serve them. Caleb Williams' been getting a lot of praise, rightfully so, but Todd Bowles, he hears it all. He's one of those coordinators that takes pride in humbling a quarterback that everybody's on board with. What you're gonna see from him is disguised coverages, unorthodox blitzes. Corners, defensive backs, you're gonna see linebackers mugged in the 'A' gap. I know what he's thinking. He's thinking, 'Everybody is crowning Caleb Williams. This Sunday, we're gonna make him earn that. crown.' I'm thinking it's gonna be difficult, and I'm picking Tampa Bay for the upset." 

We've seen this from NFL media before regarding the Bears. They have not favored the Bears this season. 

The majority of media members have picked the other teams to win more often than not. The Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots were picked to beat the Bears. 

Bears fans are probably hoping the same thing happens ahead of Week 9, since the team keeps winning when they are doubted like this. 

Besides a lack of belief from the media, the Bears also carry an unfortunate losing streak into the game. The Bears haven't won a Sunday Night Football game since 2018. They are 0-12 since that last win. 

The Buccaneers' defense does force a lot of turnovers, but on the flip side, Caleb Williams has been very good at protecting the football this season. He has one interception so far. 

This game will be a good test for the Bears. Bowles' defense is no joke. 

Tampa Bay has also gotten a boost from Baker Mayfield's return from a thumb injury. They are 2-0 since he came back into the lineup. 

It seems like no one is picking the Bears outside of Chicago, but that's how they like it in the Windy City. 

This team has been doubted before and continues to prove everyone wrong. We'll see if the Bears can snap their SNF losing streak on Sunday night and defy the odds. 

Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.