Buccaneers vs. 49ers: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

While this isn’t the sexiest matchup you’ll watch this Sunday, this should be the knockdown, drag-out battle that makes football a great sport.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers love to play tough defense and run the ball and that makes for one of the best potential battles of Week 5.

Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

When: Sunday, October 9, 4:05 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Listen: Tampa Bay—WFUS 103.5/WDAE 620AM, San Francisco­­—KNBR/BONE, Sirius Satellite Radio

Betting Line: Over/Under—41, Spread—San Francisco -3

What's at Stake?

With both teams at 3-1, this game is a good measuring stick for the Buccaneers and the 49ers, but Tampa Bay needs the victory more. While San Francisco is going in the right direction, they are still in the NFC West where a 7-9 record can get you into the playoffs. Tampa Bay is in the tougher NFC South where their 10 wins last season didn’t get them into the playoffs.

Buccaneers’ Injury Report

James Lee, T, Out

Sammie Stroughter, WR, Out

Quincy Black, LB, Questionable

Zack Pianalto, TE, Probable

Josh Johnson, QB, Probable

Kellen Winslow, TE, Probable

49ers’ Injury Report

Braylon Edwards, WR, Out

Moran Norris, RB, Out

Frank Gore, RB, Questionable

Donte Whitner, S, Questionable

Mike Iupati, G, Probable

Michael Crabtree, WR, Probable

Fantasy: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start 'Em: Mike Williams, Buccaneers

While Mike Williams hasn’t had the season fantasy owners had hoped for, there is still plenty of time to turn it around and there is no better place to start than against the mediocre secondary of the 49ers.

Sit 'Em: Frank Gore, 49ers

While breaking out for big yards against a terrible Philadelphia Eagles run defense gives fantasy owners hope, Frank Gore will not have the same success against a stout Buccaneers’ front seven.

Sleeper: Michael Crabtree, 49ers

As young wide receiver Michael Crabtree gets closer to 100 percent healthy and has the opportunity to shine with Braylon Edwards, look for him to start being the top receiver he should be.

What They're Saying

49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh told the San Francisco Chronicle:

"

Knowing the competitor that Josh is, we’ll say hi before the game, give each other a big hug … then he’ll walk away and try to gouge our eyes out. He’s like a beloved son. And I hope he doesn’t beat us. We’ll be trying gouge his eyes out, too.

"

Buccaneers’ left tackle Donald Penn told the St. Petersburg Times:

"

It’s difficult because it’s a shorter week. It’s a real short week because we leave on Friday. I think the only good thing is (practice) is a little lighter. It helps your body recover faster. Usually, I would have had two days off before today. I’m hurting a lot more. I’m a lot more sore than I would be if we would’ve played on Sunday. People have to take care of their bodies and we have to recover faster than we usually would and we have to put in that extra work with the game plan.

"

Key Matchup: Josh Freeman vs. San Francisco 49ers’ Secondary

Josh Freeman is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, and he makes his living coming from behind in the fourth quarter. If Freeman can beat the 49ers secondary, the game could be a blowout in favor of the Buccaneers.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-24, San Francisco 49ers-20

Check back for more on the NFL world as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Football Page to get your fill of the NFL.

Follow @Donald_Wood