Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds previews the upcoming Bucks game with six quick-hit topics. What’s at stake for the Bucs and their opponents, what could lead to a win or loss for Tampa Bay, and some key matchups to watch each week.
The Bucks lost 30-24 in overtime to Patrick Mahomes’ undefeated Chiefs at Arrowhead on Monday Night Football, dropping to 4-5. After a promising start with a 3-1 record, the Bucs have now lost four of their last five games and enthusiasm for head coach Todd Bowles is growing. Because his defense is the reason for the loss. San Francisco got back to .500 with a win over Dallas two weeks ago, and the 49ers (4-4) had a week of rest during the bye week to prepare for the game against the Bucks.
What’s at stake for the Bucks?
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and Bucs SS Jordan Whitehead – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks were in a pretty tough spot the following year after losing three in a row and falling to 4 wins and 5 losses. Even though Tampa Bay is just one game below .500, it feels worse than that because the defense can’t seem to stop anyone. Todd Bowles’ defense has given up 30 or more points in each of the team’s past four losses. The fact that Bowles is calling plays on defense puts him at significant risk of losing his job if he fails to fix the defense and the team misses the playoffs.
Offensively, Liam Cohen has done a great job scoring 24 points in each of the last two games without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. While Cohen will be without the team’s top two weapons in the passing game, he has been an eye-opener with his creativity and adaptability. baker mayfield We did what we were supposed to do in Kansas City, which was make plays and not turn the ball over. To increase your team’s chances of winning, you need to keep it moving forward.
If the Bucks lose their fourth straight game and head into the bye week with a 4-6 record, the excitement for Bowles will increase even more. The momentum of a 3-1 start will be gone and the Bucks will be in scramble mode, trying to get through just to grab a wild-card spot in the NFC. This game against San Francisco was a must-win for Tampa Bay.
What’s at stake for the 49ers
Bucs OLB Joe Tryon Soyinka and 49ers QB Brock Purdy – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The 49ers have struggled to find their footing this year. San Francisco has won four games, but In 2024, they have yet to achieve back-to-back victories. The 49ers will get that chance with a 30-24 win over the Cowboys before the team’s bye week. San Francisco has several receivers injured, with Brandon Aiyuk on injured reserve, linebacker Dre Greenlaw out, and defensive backs Javon Hargrave and Talanoa Hufanga on injured reserve. and need to regain health.
The team should get a boost from the return of running back Christian McCaffrey, who could make his debut in 2024 after being sidelined with Achilles and calf injuries. Running backs Jordan Mason and Isaac Gerendo have done a great job in McCaffrey’s absence, but he is a complete runner and receiver and brings another element of speed and playmaking ability to the 49ers’ offense.
The key to victory for the 49ers is scoring 30 points. The team has scored 30 or more points in all four of its wins, but has not scored more than 24 points in any of the team’s four losses. Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled tremendously this season, allowing 27 points per game all year, but averaging 34 points per game over the last three games.
If the Bucks win…
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
In fact, Tampa Bay made some strides defensively in the final game at Kansas City, and that should continue. Todd Bowles’ defense allowed only 24 points in regulation, but then allowed an extra touchdown and ended up allowing the Chiefs 30 points. Tampa Bay needs to do a better job in the red zone and force teams to kick field goals instead of allowing touchdowns. The defense also needs to come up with more points. The Bucks won the turnover battle in KC, but were only plus-1 in that category.
Baker Mayfield needs to help in that regard by continuing to play turnover-free football. Mayfield scored two touchdowns against the Chiefs but did not throw an interception. The Bucs need to get back over 100 yards rushing, but it was difficult to do that against a stout Chiefs defense. Injuries have diminished the 49ers’ defense to some extent, and the Bucs will need to take advantage of that to win time in possession battles and score touchdowns instead of field goals to beat the 49ers.
Just as important, head coach Todd Bowles needs to make better in-game decisions and manage games better than he did against the Chiefs. Coach Kyle Shanhan has outscored Bowles in both of their past two meetings, winning by a combined score of 62-21. The Bucks faced the 49ers a little closer last time, but can Bowles finally devise a game plan to stop Shanahan’s offense? Or will Shanahan continue to dominate bowls like Sean Payton?
If the 49ers win…
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Simply put, the 49ers need to score at least 30 points against a bad Bucks defense that has allowed 30 or more points in four of the last five games. The team is hoping that star running back Christian McCaffrey can return from injured reserve and make an impact against the Bucs like he did in the past at San Francisco and Carolina. He is difficult to cover out of the backfield and has qualities that make him miss between the tackles, which could give the Bucs’ linebackers a good fit.
Pro Bowler George Kittle needs to continue his trend of running opposing tight ends up the middle of the field and eating up the Bucs defense lively. Baltimore’s Mark Andrews and Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts each scored two touchdowns in recent games against Tampa Bay. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce ran for 100 yards against Todd Bowles’ defense. With Brandon Aiyuk out and Deebo Samuel limping, Kittle will be the focal point of San Francisco’s passing attack.
Defensively, the 49ers have 10 interceptions so far this year and will need to force Baker Mayfield into some mistakes with pressure. Mayfield didn’t throw a pick against Kansas City, allowing Tampa Bay to stay in the game and force it into overtime. Star players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner will need to step up and make big plays on defense if the 49ers are to avoid falling to 4-5 and further falling in the NFC West standings. Dew. Winning the turnover battle will be a big key for Tampa Bay.
Key matchups for the Bucks’ offense
Bucks RT Luke Godeke vs. 49ers DE Nick Bosa
Bucks RB Rathard White and 49ers DE Nick Bosa – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Tampa Bay right tackle Luke Goedeke will be giving it his all Sunday against Nick Bosa, one of the league’s best pass rushers. Bosa, coming off a season with 10.5 sacks, has 4.5 sacks already this season and is on pace for the fourth consecutive season with double-digit sacks. Bosa will alternate on Sunday on both sides of the defensive line with Guedeke and left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
However, the 49ers would be wise to match Goedeke primarily with few outside tackles in Tampa Bay. Bosa has already played 247 snaps on the left side against right tackle and 175 snaps on the right side against left tackle. In their last matchup, against Tampa Bay at Levi’s Stadium, Bosa was a game-breaker, recording nine tackles, six QB pressures, and one of San Francisco’s six sacks. .
Goedeke has had a good season this year, but not great. That’s probably because he missed four games due to a concussion he sustained in Week 1. He earned an overall rating of 62 on Pro Football Focus with a pass rush rating of 70.6, giving up only one sack and eight hurries in five games. Goedeke will need to bring his A-game to slow Bosa down as a pass rusher and wear him down with run blocking.
Key matchups for the Bucks’ defense
Bucks NCB Tykie Smith vs. 49ers WR Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings
Bucks NCB Tykie Smith and Chiefs TE Travis Kelce – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Tampa Bay rookie Tykie Smith has been a big bright spot on the team’s terrible defense. The third-round pick led the Bucs with three forced fumbles, including one against Travis Kelce on Monday Night Football, and also had an interception against Todd Bowles. Smith is a natural playmaker and had a defensive Rookie of the Year season, aside from a tough game in coverage in Atlanta and missing the Falcons’ other games with a concussion.
Smith earned the team’s starting nickelback spot during camp with his veteran maturity and high football IQ. He’ll be at his best Sunday against the 49ers’ slot receivers. Head coach and offensive playcaller Kyle Shanhan likes to rotate receivers into the slot to create mismatches and different looks for the defense. With Brandon Aiyuk out for the rest of the year, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings will be the primary receivers in the passing game, along with tight end George Kittle.
Kittle leads the 49ers with 40 catches for 503 yards (12.6 avg.) and six touchdowns, while Samuel has 24 receptions for 406 yards (16.9 avg.) and one score on the year. Jennings filled in for Aiyuk admirably and played well, similar to Samuel, with 25 catches for 404 yards (16.2 average) and three touchdowns. With Samuel still dealing with some injuries, the big-bodied Jennings will be counted on even more on Sunday to present himself as a target for Brock Purdy.
