Friday, 3 a.m.
He can hurt you. He can make you look silly. He can leave you grasping at the air of the space he just occupied.
But can he beat you?
When it comes to Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears, that’s the question. As quarterbacks go, Fields has a fine highlight tape, filled with snaking runs through defenses, But after 26 NFL starts, Fields has just five victories.
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That’s led to the lingering doubts of Fields in Chicago. Fields had only two 200-yard passing days a year ago, which has led skeptics to wonder if he’ll ever have enough arm to be a legitimate quarterback. Granted, he can run — he had 1,143 yards on the ground last year — but he doesn’t exactly make safeties cry in the dark as they get ready to play him.
The Bears, as a team, don’t have the weapons they need. They gave up 38 points to Green Bay last week.
Now, they come into Tampa Bay on Sunday to face the Bucs.
Look, the Bucs are 1-0, but they aren’t a juggernaut. They won by three last week despite owning the big plays in the game. This one won’t be a walkover, either.
But if the Bucs can surround Fields, they should have enough to win this one at home.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 17, Chicago 14.
In other NFL games:
Cincinnati 21, Baltimore 20.
Atlanta 24, Green Bay 23.
Dallas 24, New York Jets 13.
Miami 27, New England 23.
In the college games :
Alabama 59. USF 0.
FSU 27, Boston College 14.
Tennessee 20, Florida 17.
Georgia 30, South Carolina 14.
North Carolina 28, Minnesota 19.