The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have slipped below the .500 mark for the first time this season. Now they will look to get back on track while hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Despite the Niners 4-4 record it is important to remember that they are still defending NFC champions and we’re one of the favorites to go back to the Super Bowl this year.
While most national media would not have put these two teams in the same tier going into the season, I believe that’s where they have always been. Unfortunately for both the Buccaneers and the 49ers injuries have played a big part in their records, so it’s not the position that either team expected to be in. Both will need a strong second half of the season to secure their place in the postseason.
That makes this a pivotal game for both teams. The Bucs will try to avoid falling two games below the 500 mark where the Niners will try and take a share of the division lead in the NFC West. Who will prevail? I break it down in this week’s Skeleton Keys to Victory.
Run Defense Discipline
The 49ers consistently put out one of the better running games in the NFL. Granted they have had a future Hall of Fame running back in recent years with Christian McCaffrey. However, even without him, they have just plugged running backs in and found success.
Similar to the Bucs, they like run a lot of zone blocking. When that is the case, you have to be very aware of cutback lanes. The Bucs front seven must maintain discipline in their gap to prevent these lanes from appearing and giving the Niners running backs an alleyway to run.
If they can manage to do that, and the Buccaneers can out talent the 49ers upfront. Outside of all pro left tackle Trent Williams the rest of the San Francisco offense of line is nothing to write home about. If the defense can maintain their discipline, they can control the line of scrimmage.
Red Zone Runners
There is much more to this 49ers team than Kyle Shanahan and the electric offense. Year in and year out, the 49ers have one of the better defensive units in the NFL. This season is no exception.
San Francisco ranks towards the top in both pass defense and run defense. They have one of the elite pass rushers in the game in Nick Bosa, and the best linebacker in football in Fred Warner. This is a team that causes matchup problems for opposing offenses.
Despite this, they are tied for the eighth most rushing touchdowns allowed this season. It’s also worth noting that every team who has allowed more rushing touchdowns, with the exception of one, has played one more game than San Francisco. The 49ers can win in coverage and with their pass rush, but when push comes to shove, they can be both pushed and shoved around.
Tackling, Dummies!
Fundamental issues have haunted the Bucs this year. We have seen with our eyes the missed tackle problems, and we have heard over and over again how miscommunications have gashed the Bucs defense. Those things have to be cleaned up for a Buccaneers victory this week.
In this game, tackling specifically will be very important. The 49ers don’t have a star at quarterback in Brock Purdy, but he is someone who can get the ball in his playmakers hands. The likes of Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey are both excellent at making defenders miss in space. If they are unable to do that, it limits their effectiveness.
This is especially important for the Bucs defense because the 49er star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, is out for the rest of the year. He is their best route runner and separator; he’s someone who doesn’t have to live off yards after catch to be great. Without him I do not fear the 49ers passing attack if the Bucs defense can swarm to the ball carrier and make a sound tackle. That might be a big if, but it’s not an unreasonable expectation with the talent that this team has.
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