Zachary Engberg
2 min read • December 11, 2022
Posted in
The 49ers, 8-4, won their fifth straight game but are down to rookie Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy at quarterback after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a season-ending left foot fracture.
Purdy, who threw for 12,170 yards in 48 starts at Iowa State, threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns against the Dolphins but will face an experienced Buccaneers defense in Week 14 that has allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards in the league.
Deebo Samuel, SIC score 89, and Christian McCaffrey, SIC score 85, had team-high 10 targets and were both productive playing through leg injuries in Week 13.
Jordan Mason has stepped in for Elijah Mitchell but is clearly a distant second fiddle in the running game.
The main concerns are on the vaunted defense: Nick Bosa, SIC score 65, is expected to play against the diminished Tampa Bay OL after he suffered a hamstring strain.
Bosa missed one game earlier this season with a groin strain but leads the NFL with 14.5 sacks and is second with 15 TFL.
Veteran lineman Arik Armstead, SIC score 85, returned last week from an extended absence due to multiple foot injuries, adding another weapon to the deep defensive line.
Despite the losses of their No. 2 and 3 cornerbacks, San Francisco has allowed a 69.8 passer rating in the last three games and has a 4-to-6 TD-to-INT ratio during its five-game winning streak.
The Buccaneers have lost three starting offensive linemen, Shaq Barrett, and two key defensive backs and had to play with a diminished Chris Godwin and Julio Jones for most of the season; despite this, 45-year-old Tom Brady has the team at 6-6 and in the lead in the NFC South.
Tampa Bay's rushing offense, SIC score 81.6, has suffered the most because of the Ryan Jensen, Aaron Stinnie, and Tristan Wirfs absences, although rookie Rachaad White has shown a spark since taking over in Week 10.
Veteran Leonard Fournette is expected to play
The Buccaneers' 73.3 rushing yards per game is more than 10 yards fewer than any other team and will face a front that has allowed 67-or-fewer yards in the last five games.
Godwin, SIC score 84, has looked strong in the last three weeks, posting 26 receptions on 34 targets for 244 yards and two touchdowns. The pro-bowl wideout is nearly a year removed from his Dec. 19, 2021, torn ACL and should only improve as the season progresses.
San Francisco is a 3.5-point favorite and is -174 to win outright, according to FanDuel sportsbook, with the over/under set at 38.5.
Rachaad White's rushing total is set at 31.5 and Leonard Fournette's is 33.5, but the 49ers defense has allowed only one player – James Conner on 14 carries – to gain over 30 yards during their winning streak.
Written by Zachary Engberg
