49ers vs. Buccaneers: 5 X-factors for San Francisco in Week 12

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to a call during their NFL game against the New York Giants at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

Despite their quarterbacking carousel, the Buccaneers still rank No. 1 in the NFL in total pass yards (3,610). That doesn’t exactly spell promise for a 49ers secondary having to deal with a pass rush up front struggling to take down quarterbacks.

There are two key Tampa Bay wide receivers worth noting here, Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. While Evans and his 957 receiving yards are the biggest threats to San Francisco’s defense, the speedy Jackson (731 catch yards) is just as potent.

San Francisco’s zone defense will continue putting veteran cornerback Richard Sherman in position to shut down one side of the field. That’s fine, and Jameis Winston probably won’t take too many chances in that direction. Instead, Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter will be looking to get after Sherman’s counterpart, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, on the opposite side.

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Witherspoon has been one of the prime liabilities in the Niners secondary this season, giving up a key touchdown catch to the Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. two weeks ago.

Big plays — he seemingly allows one each week — have been a weakness for Witherspoon this season.

Should that trend continue in Week 12, the Buccaneers offense will continue to live up to its high-flying ways, making Witherspoon’s performance on Sunday a key X-factor for the 49ers.