SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of a five-game losing streak and Sunday's game against Tampa Bay looks like perhaps their best chance to win for awhile, at least on paper.
Of course, nothing is easy for the 1-5 Niners and it doesn't figure to get any easier from here on out. In fact, it's a safe bet that many Buccaneers fans are looking at the chance to play San Francisco as a great chance for their team to get a victory.
The Niners could be without running back Carlos Hyde, who didn't practice Tuesday because of a shoulder injury, and have questions all over the roster.
For a closer look at this week's opponent, we turned to ESPN NFL Nation Bucs reporter Jenna Laine:
OFFENSE
QB Jameis Winston: Against the Carolina Panthers, Winston completed 18 of 30 passes for 219 yards, a touchdown and, most importantly, no interceptions, which has been a huge point of emphasis. The Bucs ran the ball a heavy amount, but Winston made the difficult throws when he needed to, including a 26-yard touchdown to Mike Evans, which set up Adam Humphries' game-tying two-point conversion. He also successfully engineered a final drive that set up Roberto Aguayo's game-winning kick. The thing all opposing defenses have to remember with Winston is, the play is never over until it’s over. One of his best attributes as a young quarterback is his ability to keep plays alive.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers: Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin has not rejoined the team at practice since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 2, although there’s a chance he plays in San Francisco. If he doesn’t, the Niners will have to contend with Rodgers, who rushed for 101 yards last week on 30 carries in just his sixth-ever NFL start. He may be just 5-foot-6, but he hits the hole hard and he’s decisive. The Bucs fashion his ability as an inside runner much like Martin.
WR Mike Evans: At 6-foot-5, 231 pounds, Evans is a mismatch for just about any corner, and he uses his long body and big catch radius to create all sorts of mismatches against opposing defensive backs. Evans had a career-high 10 catches for 132 receiving yards against the L.A. Rams and he had 99 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. Evans is, without a doubt, Winston’s best receiving target, and the two have hooked up for at least one touchdown in four of the first five games this season, with Evans beating his touchdown total from last season in three games.
DEFENSE
DL William Gholston: Gholston was the lone original starter of the Bucs’ defensive line that they played in Carolina, and his fumble recovery (forced by DaVonte Lambert), kept a Panthers offense that had suddenly found its stride off the field. He played every snap of that game and is proving that he’s more than just a run stopper. He’s a pass-rusher too.
LB Lavonte David: David, a Pro Bowler, has incredible quickness off the ball and can be a heck of a blitzer, if that’s how defensive coordinator Mike Smith wishes to use him. He also excels in coverage, has excellent instincts and he’s a smart, smart player who can put a good lick on an unsuspecting running back.
CB Brent Grimes: Grimes may have had the two best plays of the game against the Panthers, making a touchdown-saving tackle of Fozzy Whittaker at the 1 yard line in the fourth quarter and then intercepting Derek Anderson in the end zone on a pass intended for Greg Olsen. Considering the Bucs were without three of four starting defensive linemen, there was a lot more pressure on the secondary in the absence of a whole lot of actual pressure upfront. Grimes delivered.
