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) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers fights off the tackle of Quandre Diggs #28 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 2: 49ers receivers vs. Buccaneers defensive backfield

There is no doubt that the injury to 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sent the team’s passing attack into a tailspin. A case can also be made that Niners wide receivers have under-performed regardless of who was delivering them the ball. On Sunday, the 49ers receiving corps will go against the league’s 28th-worst passing defense.

All year, the 49ers quarterbacks have been forced to hold on to the ball too long. The receivers have not been getting the separation needed to cleanly receive passes.

When gifted an opponent with poor defensive back play good receivers take advantage. Let’s see if there are any on this year’s 49ers team, especially with veteran wideout Pierre Garçon (knee) ruled out.