The San Francisco 49ers will look to extend their current winning streak to six and improve to 9-4 when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
This game could be the final time Tom Brady goes against the team he grew up cheering for. The veteran will square off against 49ers rookie Brock Purdy who will be making his first professional start.
The Buccaneers will enter Levi’s Stadium with a 6-6 record following their thrilling 17-16 come from behind victory against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. After starting the season 3-5, Tampa Bay has won three of their last four to reach .500 on the year.
Here are five things to watch for during Sunday’s game.
1.) Can Brock Purdy beat Tom Brady?
Brock Purdy will be making his first NFL start with one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time on the other sideline. Tom Brady is undefeated in his career against rookie quarterbacks.
It’s a double-edged sword for Purdy. He and Brady will never be on the field at the same time; however, he will be facing a Tampa Bay defense which is among the best in the league.
Tampa Bay comes into Sunday allowing only 18.5 points per game, good for fifth best in the NFL.
Led by Vita Vea, the Buccaneers make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Tampa Bay averages 3.2 sacks per contest and is averaging 3.3 on the road this season.
The Bucs may be without starting safeties Mike Edwards and Antoine Winfield on Sunday. Both are game time decisions.
If they cannot go, Tampa will turn to veterans Keanu Neal and Logan Ryan to back end of their secondary.
Add in the speed and playmaking ability of linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David and you can see why Tampa Bay has allowed the fifth fewest net yards per pass attempt (5.4) to this point.
For Purdy to be successful on Sunday he will need to do exactly what he did against Miami, get the ball out quickly to his playmakers and out of the hands of the defense.
2.) Will the 49ers defense ruin homecoming for Tom Brady?
Sunday will mark Brady’s first game against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium since leading New England to a 30-17 win in 2016.
Although Brady’s numbers are down this season, he has continued to show the ability to come through in the clutch. On Monday night he led the Bucs back from a 16-3 deficit with a pair of touchdowns late in the fourth quarter.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans give Brady a pair of dependable receivers on the outside. These two will challenge Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.
In addition to the threats outside, Brady can work the middle to underneath passing game with tight end Cade Otton and running back Leonard Fournette.
3.) Can the 49ers take advantage of Tampa Bay on the ground?
If the Tampa Bay defense has any weakness, it may be stopping the run. The Buccaneers have allowed opponents to gain 4.5 yards per attempt, ranking them 19th.
Despite the high average allowed, Tampa Bay has done a solid job of keeping opponents out of the end zone allowing only seven rushing scores.
Usually thought of as a strong run team, the 49ers have struggled a bit in this area. San Francisco comes into Sunday averaging only 4.3 yards per attempt, good for 19th.
The rebuilt offensive line has been inconsistent at generating movement along the line of scrimmage. Last week against Miami there were several instances in which the Dolphins were able to shut down the 49ers in short yardage situations. This had a lot to do with why only one of the Niners eight third down conversions came on the ground.
4.) Will Nick Bosa play?
Bosa suffered a strained hamstring against Miami and has not participated in practice this week. According to Kyle Shanahan the defensive end is questionable to play against Tampa Bay.
The last time San Francisco went into a game without Bosa they allowed Marcus Mariota to complete 13 of 14 passes including two for touchdowns in a 28-14 loss to Atlanta.
If Mariota could put up those numbers imagine what Tom Brady will do.
5.) Who wins the turnover battle?
This game features two of the best defenses in the league. One defense will be facing off against arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. The other will be facing off against a first-time starter.
For the 49ers to have any chance to win this game they need Purdy to not turn the ball over. San Francisco has lost only three times since the start of 2021 when they don’t turn the ball over more then their opponent.
Despite throwing the most passes in the NFL this season Tom Brady has only thrown four interceptions.
Tampa Bay has turned the ball over only 11 times all season. On the flip side, they have also taken the ball away only 11 times.
Prediction:
49ers 13 Buccaneers 16
I agree with you Jack. It very well may not be that close. The one advantage the 9ers have is TB is coming off of a Mon. night game and has to travel cross country. They miss practically 2 days of preparation and 1 day of recovery.
Unless Purdy has a bad game, I predict a victory for the 49ers. I don’t know if the Bucs can score 16 points against our defense.
This game should end the blather about Purdy’s maturity and prowess as a rookie QB and Shanahan’s brilliance as his mentor and play caller. Brady still has an axe to grind and grind he will Sunday afternoon.
George, Brady wants to win EVERY gamy at maximum. His desire is not the question – It’s the 49ers D. Niners 24 Bucks 17
Just so you know, this isn’t the Telly George. It may be Lesions or Jaxson, whom I believe are the same . Unless there’s another real George, imagine the mind of someone who purposely steals another person’s identity. Rather sick, I’d say.
Re Purdy, I take the view that we’ll win today and that Purdy will have a fine game.
That’s right Coach Short week, long travel. No film on Purdy. It’s possible the bucks D will think get this kid with
big time pressure, if they come with that one dimensional attitude they will be susceptible to hot reads, slants, outs etc. Look for Kittle behind the backers, also Danny Gray on a deep shot ?
Jack you need a proof reader! Don’t write so late!
2nd paragraph : Brock Purdy who will make be making his first professional start.
Last para, 1st Q: Sunday he will need to exactly what he did against
Last para, 2nd Q: In addition to the threats outside, Brady can work the middle to underneath passing game
Last para, 3rd Q: why the only one of the Niners eight third down
And some minor stuff I didn’t list
Q6: Will the weather be a factor for the rookie?
You’re welcome.
I don’t want Purdy hurt. Our OL is so shaky. By the way, I wish Jimmy G had thrown that ball away. He took forever to go down, twisting in the arms of 2 defenders just before he was hurt. Terrible oL play but he had time to throw the ball away.
Good read, Jack.
Purdy just needs to play mistake-free football.
I said at the beginning of the season that with the 49ers defense all the offense has to do is score 17-21 points per game to win. We’ve gone through two starting QBs since I wrote that. Nothing has changed for me.
AES,
I agree. My score prediction is based on the uncertainty of Nick Bosa playing. Flip the numbers if he ends up going
Many sub-plots to this game, will be very interesting one.
Delphi of oracle you are ..
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