National Football League

Buccaneers at 49ers: Five Game-Changing Players

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:08 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of their bye week, the Buccaneers (2-3) are looking to continue the momentum that they grabbed when they beat the Panthers on Monday Night Football back on October 10. This Sunday, they head out west to take on the struggling San Francisco 49ers (1-5).

After their Monday night win over the Carolina Panthers, the Buccaneers have new life. This week, they have a big opportunity to keep rolling as they come across a San Francisco team that has lost five straight. Heading out west is always a challenge for Tampa Bay, but some of its top talent could be returning to action this week after getting healthier during the time off.

Heading into the bye week at 2-3 was, all things considered, what many likely expected from the Bucs when the 2016 schedule was released. That being said, they could just as easily be 3-2 if not for an ill-timed turnover in week three when they led the Rams 20-10. The toughest part of the schedule is now over, so while Tampa Bay has plenty of flaws, there’s still a chance for a solid run and a playoff push.

The 49ers, on the other hand, have gone downhill in a hurry after their 28-0 season-opening win over the Rams. Before week six, they made a change under center, replacing Blaine Gabbert with Colin Kaepernick. The change didn’t do enough to spark the team, as Buffalo ran all over the San Francisco defense en route to a 45-16 victory. 49ers head coach Chip Kelly did name Kaepernick the starter for Sunday’s game, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against a Tampa Bay secondary that’s– at best — suspect.

The Bucs should be a bit healthier on Sunday after their bye week, while the 49ers are looking to pick up some momentum before getting a bye of their own in week eight. Which players have the ability to affect the outcome of Sunday’s game?

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Jacquizz Rodgers

With Doug Martin and Charles Sims sidelined in week five, Jacquizz Rodgers had to step up as the Bucs’ top running back, and he delivered. He rushed for 101 yards on 30 carries and caught five passes for 28 yards. He didn’t find the end zone, but his production was still solid enough to help Tampa Bay to a win. Martin could return to the lineup this week, but even if he does, Rodgers should still get plenty of touches to make a difference.

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A week ago, the San Francisco defense surrendered 45 points to Buffalo. It allowed 312 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, with LeSean McCoy doing most of the damage (19 carries for 140 yards and three scores). This week, the Bucs will need to get their running game going. It’s clear that the 49ers’ defense is susceptible to big plays on the ground, so if the Bucs can run the ball, they could be looking at a big win.

Now, it’s possible that Martin will return and take some of the carries away from Rodgers. As of this writing, though, Martin’s status is still up in the air. If he is able to go on Sunday, it’s still highly possible that he has to ease back into things. That will allow Rodgers another opportunity to produce, and as he showed against Carolina, he definitely has the ability to affect a game’s outcome.

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) carries the ball against San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first quarter at Levi

Antoine Bethea

During their five-game losing streak, the 49ers have been giving up a lot of points. Even still, Antoine Bethea has managed to put up some solid numbers. He currently stands as one of the team’s biggest playmakers on defense. Through six games, he has totaled 39 tackles (36 solo), one forced fumble, one interception and three passes defended.

The Bucs have been prone to turning the ball over throughout much of this season, with Jameis Winston throwing eight interceptions through five games. Without some key pieces on the offense, the Bucs have been struggling since week one. Some of those pieces may return this week, which is a big plus. Tampa Bay did take a big step forward last Monday night against Carolina, finishing the game with no turnovers. It will be interesting to see if the Bucs can continue to put their turnover issues behind them this week. The 49ers are far from spectacular on defense, but Bethea might have something to say about that.

Bethea has the ability to change games with just a couple of plays. On Sunday, it will be up to Winston to make sure that the 32-year-old safety isn’t a huge factor. If he makes just a couple of big plays, it could swing things in San Francisco’s favor.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) rushes against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kwon Alexander

Second-year linebacker Kwon Alexander has had an interesting year. Throughout most of the first five-game stretch, he shined. However, there have been a couple of games that haven’t been so kind to him. Despite a couple of quiet games, the former LSU Tiger leads the Bucs in total tackles (43) and solo tackles (37), while tying Gerald McCoy for the team lead in sacks (two). His pick six in week three was huge at the time, and his ability to make plays all over the field is what makes him so crucial this week.

The 49ers are going through some issues on offense, making a recent change at quarterback. Colin Kaepernick is slated to start against the Bucs after totaling 253 yards last week against the Bills. Running back Carlos Hyde (429 rushing yards, six touchdowns) watched practice on Tuesday while wearing a sling. If he is unable to suit up on Sunday, things will look even better for a Tampa Bay defense that should be good enough to stop a struggling San Francisco offense.

Alexander is usually all over the field. That likely won’t change on Sunday as he looks to feast on a weak offense. He can make plays, including some game-changing ones, frequently. Especially if Hyde is kept out of action, Sunday could be a big game for Alexander.

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

Colin Kaepernick

As mentioned earlier, the 49ers made a change at quarterback last week. The polarizing Colin Kaepernick stepped under center against Buffalo, replacing Blaine Gabbert. The switch didn’t do much, as San Francisco’s defense was bulldozed by the Buffalo backfield. Kaepernick, for his part, wasn’t terrible. He completed 13 of 29 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown, while adding 66 rushing yards on eight carries.

The Bucs have a habit of making average quarterbacks look spectacular. Look no further than weeks three and four of this season, when the Tampa Bay defense struggled to contain Case Keenum and Paxton Lynch in consecutive weeks. The Buccaneer defense is hoping to get a shot in the arm this week, with the possibility that Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald and Robert Ayers could return to the lineup. In any case, if the defensive line fails to get any type of pass rush going, Kaepernick will burn them with his legs. He has the ability to extend plays and make defenses pay for mistakes, even if some of that ability has diminished since his spectacular play from 2012-2014.

Never mind what happens on the sideline with Kaepernick before the game. If he finds his groove when he takes the field this week, the 49ers could be looking at an upset win over the Bucs.

Sep 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Bryan Anger (9) punts the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bryan Anger

Perhaps no one on the Tampa Bay roster has been as consistent this season as punter Bryan Anger. No, seriously. Anger has been very good this year, punting 27 times with an average of 47.1 yards per punt. In each game this season, his longest punt has been over 50 yards, with his longest of the season coming in at 59 yards (twice).

Offensively, the Bucs haven’t been as strong as they had hoped coming into the year. But, with Anger punting the way he has, they have been bailed out to an extent. He has landed 11 of his 27 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, which is key in the always-important aspect of field position. Tampa Bay isn’t good enough on defense to constantly be giving away good field position to opposing offenses. Luckily, Anger has proven to be a reliable weapon.

Just as the Bucs aren’t good enough defensively to give the opposition good field position, the 49ers aren’t good enough offensively to be effective when they are handed bad field position. If Anger can manage to pin San Francisco deep a few times on Sunday, it will make things a whole lot easier for the Bucs’ defense– and a whole lot harder for the 49ers’ offense.

What do you think, Bucs fans? Who can change the game on Sunday when the Bucs and ‘Niners meet? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @ThePewterPlank.

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