Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect Christian McCaffrey to Dominate
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. Matt MacKay is here to explain why Christian McCaffrey will dominate after snapping his touchdown streak. Check it out.
Matt MacKay - November 19, 2023, 10:57 AM EST
7 minTampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect Christian McCaffrey to Dominate
One of the more lopsided games in Week 12, at least based on oddsmaker value, features the San Francisco 49ers hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
These NFC opponents are on different trajectories, however, both ended losing slumps in Week 10 with decisive wins. San Francisco came out of its Bye with a purpose, beating Jacksonville 34-3 on the road, while aided with the return of Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 20-6 over Will Levis and the Tennessee Titans. The Bucs held the Titans out of the end zone and allowed only 42 rushing yards, which is their strength defensively.
The 49ers' West Coast offense under head coach Kyle Shanahan implements a heavy dose of running plays within the scheme. It'll be intriguing to watch how star running back Christian McCaffrey performs in a tougher matchup, while Tampa Bay's head coach Todd Bowles will need to be cautious deploying his blitz-heavy scheme against Brock Purdy on the road.
NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his latest NFL Week 12 prediction and pick for 49ers vs. Buccaneers.
BUCCANEERS vs. 49ERS DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
- Game Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
BUCCANEERS vs. 49ERS ODDS
- Spread: 49ers -11.5 (-105), Buccaneers +11.5 (-115)
- Total Odds: Under 41.5 (-110), Over 41.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: 49ers (-670), Buccaneers (+490)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers INJURY REPORT
BUCCANEERS
Probable: QB Baker Mayfield (Thumb), CB Carlton Davis III (Toe), WR Mike Evans (Quadricep), LB Devin White (Foot)
Questionable: OT Luke Goedeke (Foot)
Out: S Ryan Neal (Hand), C Ryan Jensen (Knee), WR Russell Gage (Knee)
49ERS
Questionable: CB Samuel Womack III (Knee)
Out: OL Aaron Banks (Toe), DL Drake Jackson (Knee)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS PREDICTION
This will be the second consecutive year that Tampa Bay travels to San Francisco. Last year, Tom Brady was under center for the Buccaneers, but it wound up being a 35-7 blowout loss. This time around, Baker Mayfield will attempt to pull off a massive upset as a +11.5 ATS underdog, but his rapport with wideout Mike Evans could keep Tampa Bay in the mix, at least early.
Evans faces a 49ers pass defense that has been susceptible to big plays through the air, while Rachaad White, whose also been heating up in Tampa Bay's offense, gets a brutal matchup on the ground against the upgraded 49ers defensive line. Nick Bosa and Chase Young are reunited on San Francisco's front-seven, but the Buccaneers have been one of the best teams in the league at preventing sacks. Tampa Bay is allowing a 5.0 percent sack rate, fifth-lowest in the league, so watching how its offensive line unit performs against the 49ers' defensive front will likely determine the outcome in this game.
Christian McCaffrey was held out of the end zone for the first time in 17 games against Jacksonville, snapping his touchdown streak. Expect McCaffrey to get touches early and often in this game to avenge that outcome, despite facing a Tampa Bay defense that hasn't allowed a running back touchdown since Week 1. His usage will open up big passing plays for Purdy to exploit, with three elite options between Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle.
Yes, it's a difficult matchup for McCaffrey, but he's recorded two or more touchdowns against Tampa Bay in each of his last three head-to-head matchups against the Bucs, dating back to his time in Carolina. San Francisco wants to get McCaffrey going early, so taking him for 2+ touchdowns at +260 odds is a good investment to make, as his usage in the passing attack, earning 10 targets in Week 10, plus 16 carries, gives us multiple ways to cash this ticket.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS PICK
- Pick: Christian McCaffrey 2+ Touchdowns (+260) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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