The 49ers throttled the Buccaneers the last time the two teams met. It was Week 14 of the 2022 season and Brock Purdy was making his first start under center for San Francisco. Purdy led the 49ers to a 28-0 halftime lead and a 35-7 victory.
It would appear this season’s Bucs should pose less of a challenge. Tom Brady is no longer their quarterback and was replaced by Baker Mayfield who is on his fourth team in the last three seasons. Tampa Bay is also 4-5 and not particularly dominant in any one facet.
All signs would point to another dominant 49ers win, but there are three key players slated to suit up for the Bucs this year who out for either all or most of last year’s contest. This trio could make life much more difficult for San Francisco in their 2023 matchup:
DL Vita Vea
Vea actually started last season’s 49ers-Bucs showdown at Levi’s Stadium, but played only four snaps before leaving with a calf injury and missing the rest of the game. That was a significant loss for the Buccaneers. There aren’t many better athletes among interior defensive linemen in the NFL, and he uses that athleticism to wreck run games and collapse pockets from all over the defensive line. If Vea plays all of Sunday’s game he could easily make a game-changing play as either a run stopper or pass rusher. The interior of the 49ers’ offensive line will need to be very good to slow him down.
LT Tristan Wirfs
Wirfs is one of the NFL’s very best left tackles. He was playing right tackle last season when he sustained an ankle injury that kept him out of the Bucs’ game in Santa Clara. The 49ers defensive front took advantage with 19 pressures, seven quarterback hits that helped turn a pair of Brady throws into interceptions. Whether it’s Chase Young or Nick Bosa lined up on his side, that edge rusher won’t have an easy time getting wins and creating pressure. Wirfs has allowed 11 pressures, three QB hits and no sacks this season in 371 pass blocking snaps.
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Like Wirfs, Winfield is one of the very best players in the NFL at his position. He didn’t play against the 49ers last season because of an ankle issue. Winfield can line up all over the field and has the versatility to cover from the slot or as a deep safety. His instincts are terrific and he’s the kind of player who lurks in areas of the field where 49ers QB Brock Purdy could be baited into mistakes. Steering clear of Winfield will need to be a top priority for San Francisco’s passing game, lest they deal with the result of turnovers like they did in their three-game losing skid before the bye week.
