Two of the league’s top scoring defenses are set to meet at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6, 2-3 Away) travel to face the San Francisco 49ers (8-4, 5-1 Home). The 49ers are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 37.5. Tampa Bay is coming off a close 17-16 win over the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on Monday.
Tom Brady was 36 of 54 for 281 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Leonard Fournette ran 10 times for 49 yards. He added six receptions for 32 yards. Chris Godwin was targeted 13 times, catching eight passes for 63 yards.
San Francisco won for the fifth straight game last Sunday, beating the Miami Dolphins 33-17 at Levi’s Stadium. Brock Purdy threw for 266 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Christian McCaffrey carried 17 times for 66 yards and added eight catches for 80 yards and a receiving TD.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2019, a 31-17 win for the 49ers.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Buccaneers are averaging 18.1 points per game for the season, 27th in the NFL, and they are facing a 49ers defense that has surrendered 15.8 PPG (1st). Meanwhile, San Francisco has scored 23.5 points a game this season, 13th in the league, and Tampa Bay is allowing 18.3 PPG (5th).
The Buccaneers rank as the league’s worst team in rushing yards per game (73.3, 32nd), while they are 6th in passing yards (277.7). They will face a particularly tough test on the ground, as the 49ers are No. 1 in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (75.6). Against the pass, San Francisco is 16th (228.5).
San Francisco is 13th in the league in passing yards per game (245.1) and 14th in rushing (124.1), while the Buccaneers are allowing 217.6 passing yards (8th) and 118.4 rushing yards per game (18th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 12 games, Tom Brady has thrown for 16 touchdowns (3 INT) and 277.7 yards per game to lead Tampa Bay in passing. In five away games this season, he has five TDs (1 INT) and an average of 236.2 yards passing. Leonard Fournette leads the team in rushing with an average of 46.5 yards a game over 11 games.
He’s also contributed to the aerial attack with 31.5 receiving yards a game. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Mike Evans is the Buccaneers’ leading receiver with 69.2 yards a game and three TDs. He is averaging 5.0 receptions on 8.1 targets per game.
Jimmy Garoppolo has 16 passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 221.5 yards per game through 11 games to lead San Francisco. In six home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (1 INT) and an average of 202.3 yards.
Jeff Wilson Jr. has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 58.5 yards a game through eight games. He has two touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk has been the primary target in the 49ers’ passing game. He has six touchdowns and a 58.2 yard per game average through 12 appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Tampa Bay has lost three straight away from home this season. San Francisco has won three straight at home this season.
SportsTips’ NFL Pick:
San Francisco 49ers (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
