ClutchPoints
Week 5 provided some shocks, and the San Francisco 49ers’ defeat of the Los Angeles Rams was among them. Now, they will head to Central Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This 49ers-Buccaneers matchup should provide a number of interesting showdowns. However, there is one head-to-head showdown that could be the 49ers’ biggest matchup to exploit.
Tampa Bay is the current favorite, with oddsmakers giving them three points over San Francisco this weekend, according to FanDuel. However, anything could happen in a battle between two 4-1 teams.
The game at Raymond James Stadium could be a nailbiter that goes to the wire. But what do the Niners need to do to win? Here is where the teams are, and what is the 49ers’ biggest matchup to exploit.
Tristan Wirfs recently returned to the lineup after dealing with an injury that kept him sidelined early. Overall, it was a welcome return for an offensive line that has had injury issues. Luke Goedeke is already out after sustaining a knee injury. Unfortunately, it did not stop there for the Bucs.
Cody Mauch suffered a season-ending injury, and that has thrown the entire offensive line into chaos. Even with all these injuries, the Bucs have managed to have an explosive offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been instrumental in ensuring the offense continues to thrive. So far, he has passed for 1,283 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception. Running back Bucky Irving has struggled behind this line, running 71 times for 237 yards while averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Therefore, the Bucs have had to improvise, and did so by giving Irving chances through the air.
The offensive line has forced Mayfield to get rid of the football much quicker. Because of Mayfield’s ability to evade the defense, he has only endured nine sacks despite a patchwork offensive line.
The 49ers lost Nick Bosa for the season, effectively costing them their best pass rusher for the season. When that happened, it put a major strain on a young defense that lacked the ability to get to the quarterback without him.
The first signs of trouble started against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the defense struggled to garner any pressure on Trevor Lawrence. Ultimately, it was not much better against the Rams, as they only sacked Matthew Stafford once and allowed him to pass for 389 yards. Bryce Huff had the one sack, and most expect him to become the de facto leader of the pass rushers with Bosa out. Coach Robert Saleh could utilize him on passing downs. Likewise, Yetur Gross-Matos could see more snaps as the main pass rusher with Bosa out.
CJ West and Jordan Jefferson are also candidates to be the top pass rusher, especially when trying to replicate the work that Bosa did. When the Niners meet the Bucs this Sunday, they need to prevent Mayfield from destroying them. Significantly, the best way to do...
