The Buccaneers come into this matchup at 4-5 and in danger of falling out of the playoff race. Now, their schedule is certainly a favorable one after the bye, but if they lose and have to crawl out of a 4-6 hole it's going to be tough.
So if the Bucs are going to get a win, who are the players to watch for as they take on the 49ers for the third straight year?
Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is making his return from injuries in both legs and is set for his 2024 debut. While the Bucs are more than familiar with the former Panther, they have to make sure they don't let him control the game.
It's hard to tell just how much CMC will be utilized. It wouldn't be at all surprising if he saw less than 50% of the offensive snaps as they ease him back in, but how much will he be a factor in those snaps he has? McCaffrey is a factor whether he's getting the ball or not because of the resources he takes away from the defense - and for a defense that is already having problems in both the run and pass games, McCaffrey could be someone that creates a nightmare for Bowles even when he doesn't touch the ball.
Cade Otton
Four straight games of eight or more receptions - a team record for a tight end - and three straight games leading the team in receiving. Otton has become Baker’s go to guy in any situation, not just third down and red zone.
Otton is going to be a big part of the offensive game plan but he's going to have his work cut out for him with Fred Warner on the other side. The Bucs need Otton to keep up his huge production this week if the offense is going to be able to move the ball up and down the field.
Chris Braswell
The Bucs’ second round pick has been getting better by the well, but he has to take a monumental leap forward in this one. The pass rush can't really solely on Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey.
Yaya Diaby is going to get a healthy dose of Trent Williams so he's all but removed from the game. That means someone else on the edge has to step up to get after Brock Purdy. It's not going to be Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, it might be Anthony Nelson on a play or two - but Braswell is a guy that's going to see opportunity and he has to capitalize. For the Bucs to keep the Niners from picking them apart and exposing the issues in the middle of the field, they have to get after Purdy quickly and that means some guys have to make plays instead of relying on the two consistent players on the defensive line.
When: Sunday, November 10
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX – Kevin Burkhardt (Play by Play), Tom Brady (Analyst), Erin Andrews & Tom Rinaldi (Reporters)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramática (Reporter)
The Buccaneers come into this matchup at 4-5 and in danger of falling out of the playoff race. Now, their schedule is certainly a favorable one after the bye, but if they lose and have to crawl out of a 4-6 hole it's going to be tough.
So if the Bucs are going to get a win, who are the players to watch for as they take on the 49ers for the third straight year?
Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey is making his return from injuries in both legs and is set for his 2024 debut. While the Bucs are more than familiar with the former Panther, they have to make sure they don't let him control the game.
It's hard to tell just how much CMC will be utilized. It wouldn't be at all surprising if he saw less than 50% of the offensive snaps as they ease him back in, but how much will he be a factor in those snaps he has? McCaffrey is a factor whether he's getting the ball or not because of the resources he takes away from the defense - and for a defense that is already having problems in both the run and pass games, McCaffrey could be someone that creates a nightmare for Bowles even when he doesn't touch the ball.
Cade Otton
Four straight games of eight or more receptions - a team record for a tight end - and three straight games leading the team in receiving. Otton has become Baker’s go to guy in any situation, not just third down and red zone.
Otton is going to be a big part of the offensive game plan but he's going to have his work cut out for him with Fred Warner on the other side. The Bucs need Otton to keep up his huge production this week if the offense is going to be able to move the ball up and down the field.
Chris Braswell
The Bucs’ second round pick has been getting better by the well, but he has to take a monumental leap forward in this one. The pass rush can't really solely on Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey.
Yaya Diaby is going to get a healthy dose of Trent Williams so he's all but removed from the game. That means someone else on the edge has to step up to get after Brock Purdy. It's not going to be Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, it might be Anthony Nelson on a play or two - but Braswell is a guy that's going to see opportunity and he has to capitalize. For the Bucs to keep the Niners from picking them apart and exposing the issues in the middle of the field, they have to get after Purdy quickly and that means some guys have to make plays instead of relying on the two consistent players on the defensive line.
When: Sunday, November 10
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX – Kevin Burkhardt (Play by Play), Tom Brady (Analyst), Erin Andrews & Tom Rinaldi (Reporters)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramática (Reporter)
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