Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers NFL preview:
49ers look to continue mid-season comeback:
The San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been two of the hardest teams to figure out all season. Maybe after this Sunday 21 November, people will learn a lot more about where these teams
stand. Kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. from Candlestick Park.
Not too long ago, the 49ers were 1-6 and their playoff hopes were dim. Now after two straight victories, they sit at 3-6, just two games back of the NFC West lead. The play of quarterback Troy Smith has
sparked the resurging 49ers, as they are very much alive in the playoff race.
After some heartbreaking losses early in the season, San Francisco looked to be down and out. Finally after starting 0-5, the they picked up their first win of the year in a 17-9 win over Oakland. Things
regressed the next week after a loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers set them back again.
However an injury to quarterback Alex Smith in that loss opened the door for Troy Smith to lead the team. He’s responded well with back-to-back wins, first over Denver in London, then earned an overtime win
over St. Louis last week.
San Francisco can really bring their season to life with a win this week. Smith will again have to make plays, but this game presents an opportunity for Frank Gore. Gore will face the league’s 31st-ranked
rush defence in the Buccaneers. Gore already has 768 yards this season with three scores. He also leads the team with 41 catches for 415 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
The Buccaneers have somehow been able to win games without gaining many yards, or yielding few yards to other teams. They don’t score many points and they give up quite a few. Somehow, Josh Freeman still
has the team winning, sitting at 6-3, and one game behind the Falcons for the lead in the NFC South.
The difference for the Buccaneers has been their ability to run the ball. Since the Buccaneers implemented rookie LeGarrette Blount as their feature-back, they have shined and Freeman has had some good support.
Blount is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, with 375 yards and four touchdowns on just 75 carries.
Freeman is enjoying a solid second year as a quarterback. His ability to make plays in the clutch have helped the Buccaneers win close games. Freeman also is enjoying the production of rookie receiver Mike
Williams. Williams leads the Buccaneers with 40 receptions for 627 yards and five touchdowns. Freeman also has a solid tight end in Kellen Winslow, who has 39 catches for 402 yards and a score.
The Buccaneers need a win badly this week, as the Falcons and Saints are both rolling in the NFC South. They’ve stayed in games with a bend-but-don’t-break defence and making plays in the fourth quarter when
they’ve needed it most.
The 49ers perhaps need this win even more, as they’re trying to climb out of a huge hole they dug themselves in. The defence will have to key in on Blount, and the offence will have to convert drives into
touchdowns. The 49ers have to put the Buccaneers away if given the chance. If they give Tampa Bay the opportunity, the Buccaneers have proven they can steal a win late.
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