San Francisco 49ers

Buccaneers vs. 49ers: Previewing Week 7 for San Francisco

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The San Francisco 49ers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium in Week 7. Niner Noise breaks down this contest and details injuries, X-factors, news and more.

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

The 1-5 San Francisco 49ers are riding a five-game losing streak heading into their Week 7 matchup against the 2-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

49ers

Niner Noise 14hSan Francisco 49ers: 5 Disturbing Stats Six Weeks into 2016

More headlines around FanSided:

1 d - Searching for Positives Amid the 49ers' 2016 Trainwreck 1 d - NFL Rumors: 49ers Won't Fire GM Trent Baalke, per Report 1 d - San Francisco 49ers: Chip Kelly Expected To Bail For College 1 d - NFL Power Rankings: Are the 49ers the League's Worst Team Entering Week 7?1 d - 49ers Last Few Drafts Filled With RegretMore News at Niner Noise

San Francisco is coming off an ugly 45-16 drubbing at the hands of the Buffalo Bills last week. The contest featured Bills running back LeSean McCoy lead an effort in which Buffalo gained 312 total yards on the ground.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is fresh coming off a bye week and should have had adequate time to prepare and rest up for the bout at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Offensively, the Buccaneers have been inconsistent at best. They managed 31 points in their Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons and 32 points over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. But Tampa Bay only managed a lone touchdown in their Weeks 2 and 4 contests against the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos, respectively.

Yet both the Cardinals and Broncos’ defenses are much better than anything the 49ers can throw out on the field. Heck, almost every team in the league falls into that category.

Nevertheless, Week 7 might actually be a game in which San Francisco breaks the current streak.

Niner Noise previews this home contest and points out everything you’ll need to know.

NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Week 7 By the Numbers

At this point, one doesn’t need to be reminded much of the 49ers’ general ineptitude on both offense and defense.

Through six weeks, the Niners rank dead last in all-purpose yards (1,757), passing yards (1,017) and average yards per play (4.6).

And don’t get us started on the run defense. It’s dead last too, if you haven’t noticed.

Tampa Bay will look to take advantage of this particular area on Sunday. But the Bucs will likely be without No. 1 running back Doug Martin (hamstring), who suffered a setback last week, according to head coach Dirk Koetter (h/t Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times).

So that means backup tailbacks Jaquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims will likely split carries versus San Francisco.

The Buccaneers are averaging just 3.3 yards per carry though, so perhaps Week 7 will be a chance for the 49ers run defense to get back on track.

Overall, Tampa Bay is dealing with some of the same issues as San Francisco.

Both the Bucs’ offense and defense rank No. 27 in the league, in terms of points scored/allowed. And the inconsistency woes could play into the Niners’ favor at home.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) leaves the field after going four and out during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Comparison

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick’s return under center in Week 6 featured plenty of positive and negative moments. While his first half was solid, and included a 53-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Torrey Smith, Kap’s second-half numbers were less than desirable.

Perhaps that’s why numerous Bills players called out Kaepernick for being “done” and “terrible” following the game.

Nevertheless, Kaepernick looked like a marginal improvement over the guy he replaced, Blaine Gabbert, and it makes sense why head coach Chip Kelly will roll with Kap again on Sunday.

If anything, Kaepernick’s not-so-distant history adds another feature the Buccaneers defense will have to watch.

Jameis Winston

Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston’s second pro year hasn’t exactly revealed the big leap from his rookie season in 2015.

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) scrambles while Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) pursues in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

So far, Winston is completing just 58.5 percent of his passes, has a 75.9 passer rating and has nine touchdowns thrown against eight interceptions.

Pro Football Focus currently grades Winston with a 68.2 overall mark, which ranks 24th out of 35 qualifying quarterbacks. And he’s rushed 20 times on the season but is only averaging 2.5 yards per carry.

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Significant 49ers Injuries

San Francisco has two notable injuries on this week’s injury report, per the team’s website: running back Carlos Hyde and cornerback Rashard Robinson.

Robinson suffered a concussion against the Bills in Week 6, and Hyde is dealing with a shoulder injury from the same game. According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, Hyde was seen with a sling around his right arm. And head coach Chip Kelly doesn’t expect him to play against Tampa Bay.

This means tailbacks Shaun Draughn and Mike Davis should be expected to get more carries.

Here’s the rest of the report:

The good news is Ward looks to make a comeback from his quadriceps injury suffered earlier this season. He’s missed the last three games, but signs are pointing to him ready to play Sunday.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) holds onto his shoe after it came off during action against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Texans defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive & Defensive X-Factors

Let’s face it, the 49ers need to stop the run if they want to win in Week 7.

Fortunately, Tampa Bay’s ground game is in limbo with tailback Doug Martin likely shelved for the contest. But what other factors and players should we watch between the Niners and Buccaneers?

San Francisco’s Run Defense

Can we be more clear? The Niners have allowed 1,046 rushing yards on the season, which is 164 more yards than the No. 2 team on this list, the Miami Dolphins.

Only defensive tackle Quinton Dial and linebacker Gerald Hodges are ranked above 70 against the run, per Pro Football Focus. And Hodges has seen just 82 run-defense snaps this season. Why is linebacker Michael Wilhoite starting again?

Overall, the Niners need to contain and plug gaps within their nickel packages. In fairness though, the defense has faced off against elite NFL backs in Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott and DeSean Jackson. Tampa Bay probably won’t have those kinds of numbers.

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward (25) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Back Jimmie Ward

Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans, all 6-foot-5 of him, is going to be a tough challenge. And 2016 is looking like the year he will finally break out.

With rookie corner Rashard Robinson likely sidelined, San Francisco doesn’t exactly have a lot of tall-bodied corners with which to match up against Evans. Defensive back Jimmie Ward could get this assignment, and some coverage snaps will fall on fellow corner Tramaine Brock as well.

It could be a rough day though, just like fellow tall receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, made easy work of the Niners secondary when San Francisco lost to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.

Linebacker Aaron Lynch

The left side of Tampa Bay’s offensive line is pretty bad, which could spell a nice day for linebacker Aaron Lynch.

Lynch has yet to record a sack since fulfilling his four-game suspension. But he’s gotten close. Maybe Week 7 opens up some floodgates here for what has been an anemic San Francisco pass rush.

Wide Receiver Torrey Smith

Finally, the 49ers got wide receiver Torrey Smith involved in some deep plays last week. And he might have a better go of things against the Buccaneers.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) runs the ball after a catch and tries to avoid a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The only Tampa Bay defensive back creating much concern for the Niners is Brent Grimes. He’s managed seven passes defended and one interception on the season. But he might not have a lot of help over the top, which could open things up for Smith if quarterback Colin Kaepernick can find him.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick

Speaking of Kap, he’ll have to do a bit more to get the San Francisco offense rolling on Sunday.

With running back Carlos Hyde likely out, one can’t expect too much from the Niners’ ground game. So that means Kaepernick’s arm — and legs — will be tasked with effectively moving the ball.

And for more than just two quarters this time.

Fortunately, Tampa Bay is allowing an average of 7.9 yards per passing play, which is 30th in the league.

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of a NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Game Information

The 49ers and Buccaneers kick off on Sunday, October 23 at 4:05 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Upcoming Schedule

Fox will be broadcasting the game on television, so check your local listings to see if coverage will be available in your area.

Additionally, the Bay Area’s KNBR 680 AM radio station will be broadcasting for those who cannot watch live. And fans wishing to stream the game can do so by visiting NFL Game Pass.

The Buccaneers are currently 2.5-point favorites over the Niners, according to Odds Shark, which isn’t much of a surprise. But, if there’s any solace, this is the second-best odds San Francisco has had since the 1.5-point underdog line the 49ers had against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.

Predictions haven’t been kind to Niner Noise in recent weeks. And it isn’t as if we’ve had a lot of forecasted victories on the horizon.

So instead of a prediction, here’s why the 49ers win or lose.

Why the 49ers Win

San Francisco’s defense is notably better at home, and not just this season. Dating back to last year as well.