This week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will go toe to toe with the defending NFC champions from last year. The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the best teams in football for the last several years and looked to be no different coming into the season. However, both teams have been derailed a bit by injuries and have a worse record than many would have expected.
That is not to say that there won’t be plenty of star power on the field this weekend. Perhaps the best two offensive tackles in the NFL, an elite pass rusher, maybe the best running back in the NFL, a Hall of Fame linebacker and perhaps the best safety in the NFL will all be taking the field in this game on Sunday. There will be no shortage of elite talent on either side of the ball.
Even with all these big names in this game, there is one player who I believe, stands above the rest as someone who could impact the results. Whether he has a good game or a bad game will determine the victor. Neutralizing him will be critical if the Buccaneers want to get their season back on track.
X Marks the Spot! Here is my X-Factor matchup in this game between the Buccaneers and the 49ers.
Fred Warner Versus Running Backs And Tight Ends
We all acknowledge Lavonte David as a future Hall of Famer. However, the best linebacker in the game today is certainly Fred Warner. While he doesn’t make the big splash plays like tackle for a loss or forced fumbles that David has over his career, Warner’s ability and coverage more than makes up for it. In fact, he might be the best coverage linebacker I have ever seen.
This is problematic for the Buccaneers. With their star wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin injured, we have seen the Bucs target tight ends and running backs more often than they have wide receivers. This has been the focal point of the Bucs offense over the last two weeks.
We have always known that Rachaad White was an excellent pass catcher. His pass blocking and ability to make defenders miss in space is what made him one of the most productive running backs last year in terms of total yardage. We have seen him score touchdowns in back to back games since the Evans injury.
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What we might not have known is how good tight end Cade Otton would be in a featured role. The third year player out of Washington has led the Bucs in receiving over the last two weeks. His toughness and ability to make contested catches has been on full display and has impressed everyone.
However, neither of these two players for the Buccaneers have elite physical tools. They are both good, not great athletes, and they are both players who can be taken away. In short, these are exactly the types of players who Fred Warner can neutralize in the passing game.
If these two pass catchers can’t get open against Warner, then Baker Mayfield will have a rag tag group of wide receivers to throw to. Second your players Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarret have had flashes, but neither has emerged as a consistent down in and down out playmaker. Veteran Sterling Shepard has chemistry with Mayfield but he’s just a role player at this point in his career.
The wide receivers were a minor part of the Bucs offense against the Chiefs on Monday night until late in the game when the Buccaneers had to make a late comeback. There is no reason to believe that offensive coordinator Liam Coen intends to make them a featured part of this game plan. Unfortunately, they might have to be if I can and white are eliminated.
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The one thing that works in the Bucs advantage here is that Warner is just one man. No one else can do exactly what he does and he can’t be everywhere all at once. Otton and White will both have opportunities to shine when Warner has his attention elsewhere. It will be about making the most of these opportunities when they happen on Sunday.
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