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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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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recovers a fumble during a game against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 11: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recovers a fumble during a game against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

No. 1: The Turnover Differential… or Lack Thereof

Both the 49ers and Buccaneers are bad when it comes to forcing turnovers.

Seriously bad.

We already pointed out how the Bucs have just one interception on the season. On a good note, the Niners have doubled that production in 2018. But two picks isn’t exactly a number to brag about.

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And if you thought that paltry number gives the 49ers an edge here, it doesn’t.

Here’s the kicker — San Francisco ranks dead last in defensive takeaways this season with five. Robert Saleh’s defense has a minus-15 turnover differential this year too. No, not good at all.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have six takeaways, which ranks one spot ahead in the rankings above the 49ers. So, great for Tampa Bay there. Yet the Bucs are also turning the ball over at an exorbitant pace, losing the ball on offense a whopping 29 times. Their turnover differential is — you guessed it, if you can do basic math — a minus-23.

Both teams struggle generating turnovers by the defense. And both are prone to coughing up the ball on offense too.

Whichever team performs better in this category stands a great chance to come away with the win.

Next. 49ers' 3-round mock 2019 NFL Draft, Thanksgiving version. dark

The 49ers and Buccaneers kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 25 from Raymond James Stadium.