San Francisco 49ers training camp is just around the corner! It’s time for us to look at each opponent and provide a reason for and against the 49ers beating them. We’ve included a poll for the community to vote on whether they expect a win or a loss and will see what kind of prediction this provides at the end.
The 49ers will open up the season with a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You can read our opponent preview to see what the Buccaneers have been up to. While the 49ers may be a better roster, they have their work cut out for them. The Bucs still have Jameis Winston at quarterback while they upgraded coaches with Bruce Arians—a coach who was a thorn in the sides of 49ers fans while with Arizona.
Reason for: Jameis Winston
Wow, what a disaster that was in 2018. The Buccaneers had a quarterback carousel that would make Mike Singletary and Troy Smith green with envy. It started with Ryan Fitzpatrick, turned to Winston, then back to Fitzpatrick and now Winston remains while Fitzpatrick is gone. Fitzmagic is soooo 2018.
Winston has a lot to like as far as his ability to get downfield, but there’s no liking his 19 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. Oh yeah, four of those were in a single game. Every year there’s some wonder of if he has it together and every year his stats beyond completion percentage remain the same.
What do the 49ers have? An improved secondary and a defensive line blasted with gamma rays. Even if the secondary isn’t anything special. A defensive line can make them look like all-stars. The Buccaneers offensive line is fifth-most in quarterback hits and tied for 14th in sacks. If the 49ers can rush Winston and force him to make the slightest mistake, the secondary is going to feast. It’s a group effort.
Reason against: Bruce Arians
After Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers “mutually parted ways,” Bruce Arians made the 49ers his personal doormat, beating them both at home and away three years straight. This includes 2017 when the Cardinals had some turnover with the roster.
Point is, Arians has not been someone that leaves one with good memories. Anyone remember this? That’s less on Arians and the 49ers’ coaching at the time but somehow, someway, he’s come out on top for a few years.
When Arians first arrived in Arizona, he made the team competitive with a 10-6 record, just missing the playoffs. Just because the Buccaneers have a meh roster doesn’t mean that the 49ers will roll them over, not while Arians is in charge. Even with Winston’s tendency to turn the ball over, there could be some vast improvements, both with Arians whispering in his ear and running the offense.
I only hope if the Buccaneers win, it’s not in the final 10 seconds. Save me heartache.
If you can’t see the poll, click here.