Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 best performances from Week 12 vs. Buccaneers

By Timothy L. Miller

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks free of outside linebacker Adarius Taylor #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an 11-yard run in the second quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Running back Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks free of outside linebacker Adarius Taylor #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an 11-yard run in the second quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch for a gain of 22 yards and a first down in the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch for a gain of 22 yards and a first down in the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers had two weeks to prepare for Week 12, and proceeded to get destroyed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let’s sift through the Niners rubble and see if we can find anything salvageable.

This was to be a “prove it” week for San Francisco 49ers players. Players were to prove they belong. Management was to be proven correct in selecting and having faith in them. The coaching staff was to prove able to get the most out of its 53-man roster.

After all, the 49ers had not played since Nov. 12. That gave team leadership 13 days to convey its message to the players and devise and implement the game plan. Players had been warned: Step it up now if you expect to be around next year.

Expectations were high going against a mediocre 4-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers team.

Week 12, in my view, ranks as the low point thus far for the 49ers’ 2018 season. And I am only referring to the play on the field.

If I account for the arrest and release linebacker Reuben Foster for alleged domestic violence, I’d still be on my postgame bender, digging through the pantry for that last bottle of Pappy Van Winkle.

But alas, give a group of chickens a room full of typewriters, and one or two may eventually peck out a word.

That’s what we had this Sunday. The Buccaneers sailed into Raymond James Stadium and out-dueled virtually every position group for San Francisco, swashbuckling their way to victory.

But there were a few 49ers who survived. Even some that had the tenacity to put up a fight.

Ranked here, are the top five that best parried the Buccaneers attacks. Occasionally landing a few lunging blows of their own. These are the five players that had the best performances in a week replete with apathy and poor play.