The Buccaneers, who won 10 games as one of the NFL’s most improved teams in 2010, have opened their 2011 season with four wins and two losses and are sitting pretty on top of the always-tough NFC South Division. Under head coach Raheem Morris, the Bucs have already proven they are the real deal this term with victories over fierce rivals the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

The Bears have won three and lost three through the first six weeks of the year, and head to Wembley knowing a win is essential if they are to keep pace with the high-flying Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

So the stage is set for a massively meaningful clash. A win under the famous arch could set either side up for a playoff push in the second half of the year.

For the Buccaneers, the game marks a relatively quick return to England as they played in London in 2009, falling to the New England Patriots by a 35-7 scoreline.

Morris, who is the youngest head coach in the NFL at the age of 35, said: ‘It’s awesome to be back in the UK – I’m a big fan of playing these games in London. We had a great time in 2009. On the field, it wasn’t so great – but it was a Super Bowl-type atmosphere at Wembley Stadium.

‘This is a different team. We have a bunch of different guys who are youngry – young and hungry. They give great effort. We want to win this game.’

Tampa Bay will be led by third-year quarterback Josh Freeman, who has emerged as one of the young stars of the NFL after making his debut at Wembley in 2009. With a strong arm, elusive running skills and the ability to stay cool under pressure, Freeman acts and plays like a quarterback 10 years his senior.

‘I think Josh is a special talent,’ Morris insists. ‘He is a very driven young man and he wants nothing more than to win championships for his team. He has all the qualities to be a great quarterback.'

Freeman continues to grow in confidence with each passing game and feels like he is a very different player from the one British fans saw last time around in 2009.

‘Everything has slowed down now,’ he explains. ‘As a rookie, you’re trying to fight and make plays. Everybody in the NFL is bigger, faster and stronger. But once you’ve played in the league a little while, you start understanding how to manipulate defenses and be more productive.

‘I’m definitely excited to be back as the starting quarterback and to make some plays for the entire game. It was a great night when we played the Patriots – the atmosphere was electric. It was awesome for the entire game. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. It’s awesome to see the support for American football and the NFL in the UK.’

The Bears have a star quarterback of their own in Jay Cutler, although his form is often dependant on the five men paid to protect him – his offensive line. Chicago have endured ups and downs along their offensive front this season and there have been times when their Pro Bowl quarterback has taken a beating.

Chicago’s game-breaker is wide receiver and return specialist Devin Hester, who has scored an NFL record 17 kick and punt return touchdowns during a glittering career, including a dazzling 98-yard runback during last weekend’s 39-10 drubbing of the Minnesota Vikings.

Hester is excited about the prospect of producing another big play at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night as he admits: ‘I’m very excited about playing in the UK and I know we have a lot of fans over there. I would love to produce another big touchdown return for the British fans.’

The Buccaneers-Bears game will mark the fifth consecutive regular season game to be played at Wembley Stadium. And NFL owners recently voted to extend the London series for another five years, meaning games will be played in the UK through the 2016 season.

The new agreement includes the opportunity for multiple games to be played in the UK as early as 2012 and for teams to volunteer for multiple return visits to these shores.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says: ‘The response to NFL games being played in the UK continues to be exceptional. Because of the outstanding support of our British fans, we are confident that hosting additional games in the UK will be well received and support our goal of bringing more football to more fans in the UK.’

This week’s event also features a screening of Jerry Maguire in Trafalgar Square on Friday night, a fan rally on Saturday afternoon (38,000 fans attended last year’s event) and a Tailgate Party at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. NFL legends in town include Pro Football Hall of Famers Richard Dent and Marshall Faulk, and other stars such as Jerome Bettis, Brad Johnson and Jimmie Giles.

In a close-fought and exciting game, I think the stars of the NFL will witness a Tampa Bay win.

Neil Reynolds