49ers vs. Buccaneers: 5 matchups to watch in Week 12

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 23: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers breaks a tackle from Aaron Lynch #59 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 20: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is sacked by Gerald McCoy #93 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy vs. the 49ers interior offensive line

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the third overall selection of the 2010 NFL draft. He is the unquestioned leader of the Buccaneers defensive line. While he is getting long in the tooth, McCoy still poses a threat to the run game and his five sacks in the eight games he has played so far in 2018 prove he is also still a threat to get after the quarterback.

The job of stopping him will fall to the interior of the 49ers offensive line. Center Weston Richburg will have the added task of making offensive line calls along with physically stopping the 300-pound McCoy.

Along with Guards Laken Tomlinson and Mike Person, Richburg has performed well in 2018. The 49ers will need another good game form them if they are to control the line of scrimmage.

Against the Buccaneers, that starts with neutralizing McCoy.