Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
49ers vs. Buccaneers: Four Keys to Victory and Score Prediction
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Week 1 is finally here and the San Francisco 49ers will be in Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers.
Where and When: Raymond James Stadium at 4:25 EST (1:25 PST)
Where to Watch: How to watch or listen to 49ers at Buccaneers
Below are the keys to victory for the 49ers.
1) Pressure Jameis Winston
It's no secret that Tampa Bay does not have the greatest offensive line, but the revamped 49ers defensive front needs to exploit that early and often.
If Winston is under heavy pressure, it will be very difficult for Tampa to put up points. It will be important for Dee Ford and
Nick Bosa to showcase what they can do as it will open things up for DeForest Buckner. Bosa is a full go and is expected to play the entire game.
2) Take care of the football
Jimmy Garoppolo does not need to have a perfect game and put up 35 points, though that would be great. But what cannot happen are turnovers and penalties that cause the 49ers to have to punt.
If they can play within themselves and play mistake-free, they should be able to outscore Tampa.
3) Run. The. Ball.
A heavy dose of Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman will make things very difficult for Tampa's defense and will hopefully cause it to lose gas.
Running the ball will take the pressure off Garoppolo and open up mismatches against the Tampa secondary.
As an added bonus, Winston can't put up points if he is on the bench.
4) Touchdowns in the Red Zone
The offense doesn't have to be perfect, but if it can convert red-zone trips into touchdowns rather than field goals, especially early, it will make things easier for both the offense and defense.
George Kittle,
Deebo Samuel, and even
Ross Dwelley are expected to improve a red zone offense that has struggled at times.
Prediction
If the Niners are able to do the above things, even mildly consistently, they should leave Tampa with a win.
49ers 34, Tampa 17
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
More San Francisco 49ers News
PFF mock draft has 49ers adding cornerback with 'unique fluidity and size'
Analyst Steve Palazzolo unveiled a first-round mock draft for Pro Football Focus, attempting to forecast the selections for each NFL team within the top 32 picks. While the San Francisco 49ers concentrated on strengthening the defensive line in free agency, Palazzolo envisions the team continuing to fortify that side of the ball.
In his mock draft, Palazzolo predicts that the 49ers will select former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"Tampa's unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick," reads the analysis from Pro Football Focus' big board. "If he can clean up his footwork, he can
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
49ers Notebook: Local Pro Day Features Legacy WR and Veteran QB Hoping to Earn Roster Spots
With the NFL Draft just two weeks away, the San Francisco 49ers hosted their annual local pro day at Levi's Stadium. The event showcased 44 players, including four veterans, all vying to impress coaches and team decision-makers and earn a roster spot. The 49ers have 10 selections in the upcoming draft.
NFL local pro days provide draft prospects with ties to the local area an opportunity to showcase their talents to team personnel. These prospects typically hail from nearby colleges or have other connections to the region where the team is based.
Terrell's Son Seeks an Opportunity
Hall of
PFF identifies 49ers draft fits in Day 2 and 3
The San Francisco 49ers have experienced success in the latter two days of the draft, discovering hidden gems capable of becoming key contributors. Some examples include tight end George Kittle in the fifth round in 2017, linebacker Fred Warner in the third round in 2018, wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the second round in 2019, and, famously, quarterback Brock Purdy with the final overall pick in 2022.
Pro Football Focus recently pinpointed one draft fit for each team on Day 2 and another for Day 3. Contributor Dalton Wasserman handled the duties for Day 2, zeroing in on former Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus, who can excel on the edge or interior in
