San Francisco 49ers (4-4) are set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, broadcasted on FOX. According to BetMGM, the 49ers are favored to win by six points in this matchup. Historically, San Francisco leads the series with a record of 20 wins to 7 losses. When it comes to the spread, both teams find themselves evenly matched, with the 49ers at 4-4 and the Buccaneers at 5-4. In their last meeting on Nov. 19, 2023, the 49ers triumphed over the Buccaneers with a score of 27-14 in Santa Clara, California.
Last week, the 49ers had a bye week, while the Buccaneers suffered a close defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, losing 30-24 in overtime. This season, the 49ers are performing particularly well statistically, sitting second overall in offense, fourth in rushing, and fourth in passing, while also ranking sixth in scoring. Defensively, they are currently 10th overall, 6th against the rush, and 14th against the pass, with the scoring defense standing at 16th. In contrast, the Buccaneers boast a fifth-place ranking in overall offense, 10th in rushing, and fifth in passing, as well as a scoring rank of 5. However, their defense struggles significantly, being ranked 30th overall, 19th against the run, 30th against the pass, and 28th in points allowed. The turnover differential shows the 49ers with a plus-4 margin, while the Buccaneers are at minus-1.
Among the 49ers, tight end George Kittle has emerged as a crucial player to watch. Coming back from a stellar performance of six catches and 128 yards, Kittle has established himself as the team’s most reliable pass catcher this season. He has accumulated 500 receptions and needs just eight more to tie Roger Craig for the third-most in franchise history. With 6,777 receiving yards, he currently ranks third in that category as well.
For the Buccaneers, tight end Cade Otton has become a vital target for quarterback Baker Mayfield, especially with star wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined due to injuries. Over the past three weeks, Otton has made 25 receptions for 258 yards and three touchdowns. His recent form has seen him record at least eight catches in every game of that stretch, putting him in a position to be the first tight end since Travis Kelce in 2020 to secure eight or more catches and 75 or more receiving yards in four consecutive games.
A key matchup to watch will be the 49ers’ balanced offensive attack up against the Buccaneers’ defense, which has struggled, particularly on third downs. The Buccaneers rank 19th in rushing defense, 30th against the pass, and their scoring defense is 28th in the league.
Injury updates have the 49ers hopeful for key players returning soon. Running back Christian McCaffrey, recovering from an Achilles tendon issue, returned to practice and might make his season debut. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is also progressing, along with kicker Jake Moody, who has been out. Conversely, wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to sit out his third consecutive game, though Tampa Bay is optimistic he will be ready after their next bye week. Heavyweight defensive tackle Greg Gaines also remains in recovery as his participation this week is yet to be determined.
Historically, the 49ers have had the upper hand in this series, winning the last three encounters convincingly. The Buccaneers secured their only playoff victory over the 49ers in a competitive NFC divisional round playoff game in 2002 that ultimately led them to their first Super Bowl win.
As the season progresses, the 49ers are striving for their first consecutive victories. Coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad has fared well after bye weeks, with a record of 4-3 in those circumstances. The 49ers have bettered their performance coming off Week 9 by having gone 16-2 over the last two seasons. Moreover, they have earned multiple interceptions in three straight games for the first time since 2014, while their quarterback, Brock Purdy, is on the brink of achieving a notable record having scored rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games. On the other side of the ball, Tampa Bay has seen a drop in form after an initial 3-1 start, with quarterback Baker Mayfield leading the league in touchdown passes and second in passing yards. The Buccaneers’ efforts have not gone unnoticed, as both defensive tackle Vita Vea and linebacker Calijah Kancey managed to sack Patrick Mahomes twice during their recent defeat.
In fantasy scenarios, Cade Otton stands out, having broken records with his recent catch numbers for a Tampa Bay tight end over three games. With key offensive players sidelined, his role as Baker Mayfield’s primary target is set to continue growing, making him an asset for fantasy team owners.