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

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Jameis Winston vs. the maligned 49ers defensive backfield

The quarterback position for the Buccaneers has been just about as chaotic and unpredictable as the position has been for the San Francisco 49ers.

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Jameis Winston will be getting the start for Tampa Bay this Sunday. He will be going against a 49ers secondary that ranks 15th in the NFL against the pass. A ranking that would be even less generous if not for cornerback Richard Sherman. The veteran is the only defensive back on the team that isn’t playing for his job.

Overall, the Buccaneers passing offense ranks first in passing yards per game in the NFL. Much of that success was due to the hot play of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick early in the year. Fitzpatrick went cold and Winston took over as the starter. The passing offense hasn’t been the same since.

With eight touchdowns to 11 interceptions, Winston may be just the antidote for what ails the 49ers pass defense.

Otherwise, there may be a lot of new faces playing behind linebackers Fred Warner and Reuben Foster.