Through The Spyglass: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put up an encouraging win over the Tennessee Titans last week at home. But now must travel across the country to face a tough San Francisco team. The 49ers ended a losing streak of their own last week after dropping three straight prior. Though make no mistake about it this will be a difficult game for the Bucs to win.

In this weekly article, BucsGameday will preview the upcoming opponent. We’ll break down their prior season, the moves they’ve made this year, and the top players to watch on the offense and defense to give you insight into what to expect on game day.

BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers At San Francisco 49ers

Matchup History

The Buccaneers and Niners have played each other 26 times over the course of their existence. The history hasn't favored the Bucs. With 19 wins to just seven losses, San Francisco has had the upper hand when these two clubs meet. Including a disastrous 35-7 shellacking last season.

Looking Back At 2022

The 49ers were one game away from the Super Bowl last season meeting the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. After starting the season with Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance at quarterback, from the depth of Mr. Irrelancvey came Brock Purdy.

The last pick in the 2022 draft came in due to injury and won the final five games of the regular season. He won two straight playoff games before injury took him out of the NFC Championship game.

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What’s New In 2023

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in the offseason, Purdy made a miraculous return to start the season for the 49ers. The Niners lost several players along the defensive line but swung for the fences and landed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

They also brought in former first-rounders, edge Clelin Ferrell, and quarterback Sam Darnold to back up Purdy. Trey Lance was shipped to the Cowboys, and they made big in-season moves to acquire edge rushers Randy Gregory and Chase Young. San Francisco is sitting at a 6-3 record and is in first place in the NFC West.

Top Players On Offense

RB Christian McCaffrey

McCaffrey continues to McCaffrey things. He leads all running backs in rushing yards, 748, and receiving yards, 339, and is tied for the lead in touchdowns with 13. His Versatility makes him a dangerous weapon to prepare for. To go with his speed and agility, McCaffrey has tremendous vision and awareness.

Hard to take down, he has 314 yards after the catch and 512 yards after contact rushing. His high football IQ, Stanford, allows him to read defenses quickly and react accordingly making him a threat all over the field.

LT Trent Williams

I could go on about how dominant Trent Williams is and how he is probably the best left tackle to ever play the game but I'll just let Tristan Wirfs tell you.

"Trent Williams is a freak of nature," Wirfs said. "He was built in a laboratory. The stuff that he does is insane."

"Seeing how fast he moves around, his second-level blocking – that is what everyone tries to do," said Wirfs. "All tackles try to do what he does. I would put him as the No. 1 player in the NFL because he is that big, that fast, and that athletic. Seeing how he plays is so fun to watch."

WR Deebo Samuel

Samuel is a versatile chess piece for the 49ers. His ability to generate yards after the catch is second only to his excellent route running and ability to create separation. He's not afraid to get physical going over the middle routinely to make plays. He makes tough catches in traffic and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty blocking. His ability to be used in the running game adds an extra layer to an already potent offense.

Top Players On Defense

Edge Nick Bosa

Bosa is one of the premiere pass rushers in the NFL. His speed power and an impressive arsenal of pass-rush moves allow him to penetrate the backfield at will. He plays with sound technique and leverage and his relentless motor and work ethic to study opponents shines through as he routinely gets the best of his opponents.

DL Javon Hargrave

The Niners big ticket free agent, the pairing of Hargrave and Arik Armstead creates nightmare situations for interior linemen. Not only a stout run defender, Hargrave has unexpected speed and a quick step that allows him to penetrate the backfield with ease. His 4.5 sacks lead the 49ers and his strength and power can drive opponents into the backfield.

LB Fred Warner

Warner is one of the league's best inside linebackers. A tackling machine his ability to diagnose, read, and react to plays is among the best in the NFL. Adept against the run, Warner is just as skilled in coverage and needs to be accounted for on every play.

Final Thoughts

The 49ers are a complete team with playmakers on every level of the defense. On offense, they can beat you in a variety of ways and their versatility amongst their skill positions is amongst the best in the league. It's easy to see why San Francisco is a favorite to win the Super Bowl.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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