San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview and Predictions

The San Francisco 49ers have played the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, arguably better teams that had higher hopes than just a winning record this season. They have played against the Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals, arguably much worse teams with top-five picks in mind in next year's NFL Draft.

However, there is something to be said about playing a team much the same caliber as you, which is what we will get when the 49ers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.

Both teams are 3-1 on the season and the playoffs very much on their minds.

It was not so long ago that Bucs running back LaGarette Blount signed with the 49ers, then backed out to join the Titans, and then eventually joined the Buccaneers after being let go by Tennessee. He is now Tampa Bay's featured back and a real force in the backfield in the NFL.

It was also not long ago that Blount ran for 82 yards on 26 carries, while man-handling the 49ers defensive front seven. The Bucs would make a mockery out of San Francisco that day.

Sunday, the 49ers will be a different team, though. A new-found confidence heading into an equal matchup of two teams looking for that extra win that could possibly be the difference between making and not making the playoffs when the time comes.

For the Buccaneers, QB Josh Freeman is a load. San Francisco had an easy time getting Vick to the ground last Sunday, but Freeman is a much bigger, thicker QB and will take a little more to get to the ground. Oh, and he can run, as well.

The 49ers will be using the same tactics they used against Vick last Sunday, keeping him in the pocket.

For the 49ers, Jim Harbaugh will continue to play it conservative with QB Alex Smith. It will be up to the Bucs defense to get to Smith in a timely manner.

However, i wouldn't think Smith will have the ball in his hands for very long this Sunday. Slants and screen passes may be a huge part of the strategy against the Tampa Bay.

X-Factor

If the 49ers are to win this Sunday, it will be because they limited Freeman's opportunities for big plays, and kept Blount's runs to a minimum.

Blount is a huge part of this Bucs offense, and the 49ers front seven, who Freeman called one of the best he will face all year, will have to meet the expectations against a big, powerful back in Blount.

Predictions

Home-field advantage will play a huge role in this game. Smith will continue to play it safe with little plays downfield, and the majority of plays will hinge on either Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter or Vernon Davis.

It worked last week and could work against Tampa Bay in Week 5, although the Bucs are ready for it.

Hunter may prove to be a surprise for Tampa Bay. Harbaugh is progressively involving him more and more in the offensive game plan with each week, so we should see more of Hunter out of the backfield and making plays in the passing game that worked so well against Philly.

49ers win 31-27

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