Niner Noise
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49ers vs. Buccaneers: Previewing San Francisco’s 2019 opener

By Peter Panacy

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after the Buccaneers won 27-9 at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after the Buccaneers won 27-9 at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals against 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 signals against 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) /

Week 1 By the Numbers

Sure, the context is different. But it’s hard to ignore the 49ers’ loss to the Buccaneers last season.

Granted, the Niners were starting Nick Mullens, not Jimmy Garoppolo, under center. Yet the Bucs allowed a whopping 464 points on the season, good for second worst in the league in 2018. Seeing San Francisco score a mere nine points, putting up just 194 pass yards in the process, wasn’t particularly inspiring.

And all off a 49ers bye week, too.

At least for the bragging rights, the Niners own the all-time series 17-7, although the Buccaneers have won their last two contests against San Francisco.

For Sunday’s contest, though, that won’t matter. Fortunately, there are some notable stats and rankings favoring the 49ers.

The Niners have a questionable secondary, yes. And their offensive line depth might be problematic, too. According to Pro Football Focus, however, San Francisco outclasses Tampa Bay in both areas.

Pro Football Focus Offensive Line Rankings:

  • 49ers — 16th
  • Buccaneers — 24th

Pro Football Focus Secondary Rankings:

  • 49ers — 29th
  • Buccaneers — 32nd

Notice a trend favoring the Niners here?

San Francisco’s reinforced pass rush could have a big day, for sure. And while the Niners don’t own a great secondary at all, seeing the Bucs ranked worse should be slightly assuring.

So how does each ranking affect the two quarterbacks set to battle it out on Sunday?