Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David claims that the defense correctly predicted the Bears‘ play call on the late pick-six off Justin Fields that sealed Tampa Bay’s Week 2 victory.
Speaking to reporters Monday, David said the Buccaneers defense “knew what was coming” on the screen pass from Fields that Shaquil Barrett returned four yards for a touchdown.
“They called a screen. It’s the same formation, everybody knows what’s coming,” David said of Fields’ first interception of the afternoon, via Greg Auman on FOX Sports. “
Bears wide receiver Claypool Chase was flagged for offensive pass interference on the previous play, a short screen pass to the running back Khalil Herbert. Instead of doing something new, Chicago went back to the same play after the penalty, and Tampa’s defense wasn’t fooled in the slightest.
More locker room video from Sunday: Lavonte David says “everyone knows what’s coming” from the Bears on Shaq Barrett’s game-clinching pick-six: pic.twitter.com/F3tdDsjGy4
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 18, 2023
Barrett’s pick-six gave the Buccaneers a 27-17 lead, which they held for the rest of the game. The defense intercepted Fields again on the next possession and after that quarterback Baker Mayfield was able to run out the clock for the win.
The Tampa Bay defense got Fields all night, racking up six sacks on the night and forcing two fumbles by the young quarterback, in addition to his two interceptions.
David made it clear after the game, saying “everyone” on the team knew what the Bears were planning ahead of the pick-six.
