49ers’ Shanahan doesn’t take Bucs lightly and knows they’re a ‘problem’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Kyle Shanahan knows the 49ers can’t take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lightly in a critical midseason game Sunday.
The San Francisco coach has the utmost respect for Tampa Bay and his formidable defense.
“That defense with (coach) Todd (Bowles) has always been such a good defense,” Shanahan told Greg Papa about the latest “49ers Game Plan,” which debuted Friday night on NBC Sports Bay Area . “Vita Vea and security, number 31 (Antoine Winfield Jr), his father also posed a problem. They have always been so good. This year, the way they came out, a lot of people were picking them up and it looked like that on tape.
“I started out beating Detroit (Lions) earlier in the year, exactly what they looked like. They lost close games and suffered serious injuries. But I see the exact same team on tape. They are a problem if they can string together a few wins and get to the playoffs they will be like they were last year.
The Buccaneers have been hampered by injuries and poor performances of late, with the team now without star receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Still, Shanahan believes Tampa Bay can put up big numbers, with quarterback Baker Mayfield having one of his best offensive seasons.
“When you have a quarterback that plays like them,” Shanahan told Papa. “I think their offensive plan is probably the best it’s been in the last four years. The way they run the ball is different. So this is not an offense that needs these receivers week in and week out.
“They can actually be successful without them because it’s a really good offense.” And the defense, even if the numbers aren’t there, I don’t see their defense much different than the last four years. I think they are as good as any team.
The 49ers and Buccaneers have struggled with consistency this season and find themselves in perilous positions heading into the game.
The loser will fall even further out of the playoffs, seriously hurting their chances of securing a playoff spot. Given that San Francisco is only one game away in the NFC West, a victory would be huge for morale before the final stage.
Even with Christian McCaffrey expected to return For the 49ers, the offense will have to deal with the Buccaneers’ intimidating pass rush and a hostile Tampa Bay crowd.
Shanahan will be ready for a spirited battle between two teams fighting for their playoff lives on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
