Tampa Bay’s Brady-Led Offense and Top-10 Defense: Oppositional Research 💪

Tampa Bay’s defense will also be a challenge for San Francisco, as they rank in the top 10 of multiple defensive categories among the league. The Buccaneers stand in eighth place in total defense (313.8 yards/game), seventh in passing defense (195.3 yards/game) and fifth in scoring (18.3 points/game). Defensive tackle Vita Vea, although listed as limited on the team’s practice report this week with foot and shoulder injuries, is a key player for the Buccaneers defense. Vea has recorded 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 31 tackles and eight tackles for loss this season. It is unclear if he will be active in Sunday’s game, but his injury is one to keep track of until gameday. Cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis are sure to put the pressure on San Francisco’s offense. Dean ranks second-highest among all defensive backs in the league in total points saved and Davis has notched nine pass breakups so far this season.

“(Tampa Bay) stops the run as good as anybody in this league,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “They’ve been doing that for a number of years. They’re extremely good in their coverages because they can do anything that they want. They’re good in man, they have all the blitzes, so Todd’s probably going to throw everything at us, and what works, he’ll keep doing it until we figure out how to do it better back.”

The 49ers are looking to ride the momentum of their Week 13 victory over the Miami Dolphins, where they registered 351 total yards and dominated the game clock on offense. This Sunday, rookie quarterback Brock Purdy will start in his first regular season game with the team. Last week, he completed 25 of his 37 passing attempts for 210 yards and threw the first two touchdown passes of his career – a three-yard pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk and a three-yard pass to running back Christian McCaffrey. With a week of first-team reps at practice and plenty of offensive weapons to support the young quarterback, the team has collectively shared how confident they are with Purdy under center.

“He’s a competitor every day,” Ryans said. “That’s the cool part about Brock, he’s always competing, whether it is scout team or what he’s doing now. He’s a true competitor and he always wants to win. He’s always looking to win the rep and I think that’s what you saw from him Sunday. The moment, it wasn’t too big for Brock, he stepped right in and just did what he needed to do.”