Niners Nation
Welcome back, CMC
The San Francisco 49ers (4-4) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) are in similar situations after both made the playoffs in 2024.
San Francisco was slow out of the gates, starting the season 2-3, but with wins in two of its last three games, have found themselves at .500. Tampa Bay, on the other side, started hot, going 3-1 in the first month of the season. But since then, the Bucs have dropped four of five, including losing the last three and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to injury.
The 49ers are coming off a bye week while the Buccaneers played on Monday night, and San Francisco will be with Christian McCaffrey for the first time this year.
49ers at Buccaneers odds, moneyline, and over/under
Fanduel expects the 49ers to win consecutive games for the first time this season by nearly a touchdown in Tampa Bay:
Predictions
Andrew Pasquini: 49ers 35, Buccaneers 20
Two weeks ago, I mentioned how Dallas throws the ball too much, like the Seahawks do, which plays into the 49ers’ hands.
Tampa Bay falls into that category. Through seven games with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs threw the ball 33.4 times per game. In the two games since without both, Tampa Bay has thrown the ball 40.5 times per game. Both of those numbers are too high for a 49ers defense that loves to take on pass-heavy offense. While Tampa Bay runs the ball better than Dallas and Seattle, it might have to throw it more if San Francisco gets an early lead.
Did I mention Christian McCaffrey is playing on Sunday? The red zone woes will be fixed, and the 49ers offense will jump out to that early lead and keep pace for the rest of the game.
Jason Aponte: 49ers 31, Buccaneers 17
The Bucs are fielding the third-worst passing defense in the league, allowing 255.9 passing yards per game. Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings will certainly be a boost for the offense and red zone issues. Tampa Bay is without their star receivers, but I expect the Bucs to play like their backs against the wall. It just won’t be enough on Sunday.
The 49ers are looking to put the league on notice with their healthy reinforcements. A late-season run starts on Sunday. It has to begin Sunday, and the 49ers will come out with urgency. If not, the conversation will have to change.
Rohan Chakravarthi: 49ers 31, Buccaneers 13
This is the most optimistic I’ve been about the 49ers in weeks with the return of Christian McCaffrey and the reset from the bye week.
San Francisco’s offense should feast in this matchup, as Tampa Bay struggles to defend the passing game (255.9 yards per game, 30th in NFL), as well as the run game (130.8 yards per game, 29th in NFL).
The addition of McCaffrey should provide a boost in both categories, and more...
