49ers vs Buccaneers: Time to take a step toward a playoff berth

The San Francisco 49ers travel east to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15. The 49ers are 9-4 and looking to inch a little closer to a playoff berth. The 49ers can clinch a spot in the postseason with a win and losses by the Cardinals and either the Eagles or Cowboys. The Bucs are 4-9, and while they struggled out of the gate, they're starting to play some solid football.

The 49ers are five point favorites. They did not blow away the Seahawks in Week 14, but they once again showed the offense is continuing to build something. The potential is there, they just need to find consistency. The 49ers defense is coming together as well, looking as sharp as they have all season. They will look to show the suddenly surging Bucs what a real defense is all about.

This will be your first quarter game thread, and we'll be back with a new thread each quarter. We'll wrap things up with a recap thread.

Site Decorum: It's off for game threads. No personal attacks, but swearing is allowed (try not to go overboard).

Date: December 15, 2013
Time: 10 a.m. PT
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Odds Shark Spread: 49ers -5
Weather: 73 degrees, NW 12 mph, 30 percent change of rain
TV Broadcast: FOX - Dick Stockton, Ronde Barber, Kris Budden
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 810 KGO - Ted Robinson, Eric Davis
Sports USA: Larry Kahn, John Robinson, Troy West
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860 - Erwin Higueros, Jesus Zarate
Bucs Coverage: Bucs Nation

GO NINERS!