Zyon McCollum talks to NBC.
How good is the Buccaneers defense, and how good is the team at 3-5?
Answers to those questions are coming tonight against the 6-2 Bears in Chicago on _Sunday Night Football_.
Zyon McCollum was a guest on [_Unbuttoned_](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chris-simms-unbuttoned/id1454809704) this week, an NBC Sports property. The Bucs’ starting cornerback was asked about Tampa Bay’s defensive’s revival and No. 3 ranking (yards allowed).
“We’re starting to live up to the potential that we have,” McCollum said, noting multiple times that there’s been no real change to the defense other than it finding an identity.
Since the start of Week 4, the Bucs have allowed less than 15 points per game. McCollum said that’s a reflection of players collectively getting what Todd Bowles is all about. (Finally, Joe will add.)
> “The guys are now understanding schematically what he’s trying to get done,” McCollum said. “They’re applying it, and not making the same mistake twice.”
As for tonight, McCollum says the film and his past experience against Bears playcaller Ben Johnson tells him Johnson is a true “offfensive genius.
Facing him and an excellent Bears team in prime time “will definitely tell us where we’re at,” McCollum said.
Joe wholeheartedly agrees.