The No. 1 Problem the Buccaneers Present the 49ers

The Buccaneers won't present many problems to the 49ers this Sunday, but they will present one big one -- Mike Evans.

At 6'5", 231 pounds, Evans is one of the biggest wide receivers in the NFL. And he's gained at least 1,000 receiving yards in all nine seasons of his career. And through nine games this season, he has 41 catches, 737 yards and 6 touchdowns. He's almost impossible to cover, because even when he's covered, he's open. And he can win a game all by himself.

The 49ers have to find a way to slow down Evans.

The Buccaneers will want to get him matched up against 49ers' No. 3 cornerback Ambry Thomas, who's a liability in coverage. He had a nice forced fumble Sunday against the Jaguars, but he also gave up two catches and committed a 23-yard pass interference penalty. And the only reason he played is because Isaiah Oliver is even worse and got benched.

The 49ers have to find a way to protect Ambry Thomas as much as possible. Put a safety over the top so the 49ers double cover Evans every play, or make No. 1 cornerback Charvarius Ward follow Evans wherever he goes. That might be the most effective way to handle him. Don't ask Thomas to do something he can't -- ask Ward to earn his big paycheck and slow down an elite receiver.

And if Ward can't slow him down, the 49ers always have an elite pass rush that can knock down Baker Mayfield before he can chuck it downfield to Evans.

As long as the 49ers have an answer for Evans, they'll be fine.