Scouting report
Basics, injuries and a key matchup.
By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published December 23, 2007
The basics
This is one of those games that appears imminently winnable for the Bucs - at least on paper.
The 49ers continue to struggle after a recent eight-game losing streak and have lost 10 of 12 since a 2-0 start.
Whether the 49ers can win two in a row for the first time since Weeks 1 and 2 (they beat the Bengals last week) will be determined largely by the play of quarterback Shaun Hill. The career backup started against the Bengals after ex-Buc Trent Dilfer suffered a concussion. Dilfer has been ruled out of today's game.
Hill hasn't been spectacular leading the NFL's worst offense, but he has avoided making critical mistakes. He has tossed two touchdowns while not throwing an interception in 43 attempts, and his quarterback rating is similarly impressive: 107.4. This is the third straight game in which the Bucs face a backup quarterback - having faced the Texans' Sage Rosenfels and the Falcons' Chris Redman.
Hill has Jon Gruden's attention, even if the 49ers are averaging a dreadful 13.6 points.
"He played in his first start against the Bengals and protected the ball," the Bucs coach said. "He distributed the ball to the open receivers. He has a good playing speed, he's got functional quickness, and I think he showcased pretty good the first time he was out there. I have a lot of respect for the job he's done."
But it's worth noting that Hill hasn't faced a defense similar to that of the Bucs, having played against the Vikings and Bengals the past two weeks.
Speaking of defense, it happens to be the strength of the 49ers.
They aren't impressive statistically, ranking 23rd in total defense (339.1 yards per game), but that's in large part the result of the ineptitude displayed by the team's offense.
The playmakers on defense are many. Among them: cornerback Nate Clements (three interceptions), tackle Bryant Young(6.5 sacks) and star rookie Patrick Willis (142 tackles) at inside linebacker.
Injuries
Bucs: DE Patrick Chukwurah (hamstring) and FB B.J. Askew (ankle) are out. LB Ryan Nece (groin) is questionable. RB Michael Pittman (ankle) and DE Greg Spires (calf) are probable.
49ers: QB Trent Dilfer (concussion) is out. CB Marcus Hudson (knee), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder) and CB Shawntae Spencer (quad) are questionable. WR Arnaz Battle (ankle), RB Frank Gore (ankle), LB Roderick Green (illness) and LB Jeff Ulbrich (ankle) are probable.
Keep in mind
The Bucs' history of playing on the West Coast is full of upsets and confounding losses. In San Francisco, Tampa Bay has a 1-10 record all time, its only victory coming in 1980 against a 6-10 49ers team that had won only nine games in its previous three seasons. Tampa Bay is 0-6 in its past six games out West, losing twice to the 49ers and once each to the Cardinals, Chargers, Raiders and Seahawks.
Key matchup
Bucs LB Barrett Ruud vs. 49ers RB Frank Gore
Ruud, the Bucs' leading tackler, is almost guaranteed to tangle a time or two with the 49ers' most legitimate offensive weapon. Gore hasn't matched last season's production, entering today with 919 yards after rushing for 1,695 in 2006. But he has two 100-yard games this season, and the 49ers won both. Much of the responsibility for containing Gore will fall on Ruud, who has helped the defense prevent opponents from breaking long runs (yielding just three runs of 20 yards or longer).