TAMPA, Fla. – The Bucs are mired in a three-game losing streak and are facing a 49ers team that head coach Todd Bowles says is good. Very good, especially on defense…
“They’ve got talent,” Bowles said. They’ve got talent at some key positions. Obviously, they’ve got a great pass rusher. They’ve got a great inside linebacker and they’ve got some great corners, as well as safeties. They’ve got talent and they play together.”
San Francisco is coming off a bye at 4-4, while the Bucs at 4-5, have lost to the Chiefs, Falcons and Ravens the last three weeks. The defense was supposed to have been Tampa Bay’s strong suit. But the Bucs’ defense is at the bottom of almost every category. To make it even tougher on the Bucs, 49ers running back Christian McCaffery is coming back this week. McCaffery is one of the most prolific backs in the NFL.
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“It’s just another weapon we’ve got to worry about,” Bowles said in reference to McCaffery. “Along with him (McCaffery), Deebo (Samuel), George (Kittle), (Brock) Purdy, as well. You’ve got to worry about five different guys, you can’t just worry about McCaffrey.”
Offensively, the Bucs have been putting up some big numbers led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. But Mayfield says he’d take lower individual stats in exchange for wins.
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“I’d rather have below-average stats and a lot of wins than what I have now,” Mayfield said. “It’s about winning for me.”
The Bucs are the healthiest they’ve been all season with only wide receiver Mike Evans listed as out for this game. Tampa Bay is hoping to have Evans back after the bye week.
Bowles’ message to his team this week is simple.
“Just keep doing the little things right,” Bowles said. “We’ve done a lot of positive things. We’ve just got to turn the corner.”
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