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

By Peter Panacy

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)
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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Which Team Gets the Running Game Going?

Tampa Bay might be tearing things up through the air. But the same can’t be said of its efforts on the ground.

Through 11 weeks, the Bucs are averaging a mere 4.0 yards per carry, which ranks 27th in the league. Their leading rusher, running back Peyton Barber, is at that 4.0 yards-per-carry average and has just 543 yards this season. Tampa Bay’s next leading rushers are quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

That should tell you all you need to know.

One might think this gives an advantage to San Francisco, especially with running back Matt Breida back fully healthy and looking to continue his breakout season.

But despite all their woes on defense, the Buccaneers have actually been OK against the run this year. This unit is allowing an average of 4.5 yards per carry, which ranks 19th in the league. That’s not a terrific number, but it’s not awful.

On top of that, there’s the Football 101 strategy to consider here. Both teams have questionable defenses, sure. So to keep their own defenses rested, offenses will look to chew up clock by running the ball, wearing down opponents’ defenses in the process.

Who does this better, thereby limiting the opposing pass attacks, will stand an excellent shot at winning on Sunday.