49ers at Buccaneers
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 8th at 4:25 pm EST
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Betting Odds: TB -2, 50.00 Total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper: Breshad Perriman
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
- Jimmy Garoppolo
After a rocky preseason, Jimmy Garoppolo gets what is likely one of the easiest defensive matchups in the entire league. In 2018, the Buccaneers allowed the 2nd most points against, while also allowing the 7th most passing yards and 3rd most passing TDs. Over the offseason, they have done very little to address their issues and are set up for a similar performance in 2019. Garoppolo has had his share of struggles leading up to this matchup but this is a great time for him to get right. With an improved receiving core and another year in Kyle Shannahan’s offense, expect big things from Garoppolo this week.
Running Backs
- Tevin Coleman
- Matt Breida
- Raheem Mostert
The 49ers backfield has begun to clear up as we approach week 1. With Jerick McKinnon being sent to IR, the job will be split between Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida. From what has transpired this offseason, it is fair to assume that we will see a 60/40 split between Breida and Coleman with Raheem Mostert mixing in on the odd occasion. The Niners released an “unofficial” depth chart on Tuesday that labeled Breida as the starter. I wouldn’t pay too close of attention as it was likely created by the teams PR department and doesn’t have any input from anyone that makes personnel decisions. The matchup against the Bucs is quite appealing. As previously stated, the team’s defense is woeful and easily exploitable. Tampa did bring in Ndamukong Suh to shore up their defensive line but in the process released Gerald McCoy. This may be a slight upgrade but will not make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. I expect both players to get a good share of the touches, in both the rushing and receiving game. Coleman is slated to be the goalline back and is the stronger candidate to score if the team gets in close. Coleman should be considered a safe RB2 while Breida is a high-end flex play.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Dante Pettis
- Marquise Goodwin
- Deebo Samuel
- Trent Taylor (Doubtful)
- Jalen Hurd (Doubtful)
- Kendrick Bourne
- George Kittle
If I am expecting a great performance for Jimmy Garoppolo, likely, I am also high on his receiving targets. After an offseason of bereavement from Kyle Shannahan, Dante Pettis is poised for a strong second-year debut. Pettis will get looked at early and often from Garoppolo against a very porous secondary either being covered by 2016 first-round bust, Vernon Hargreaves III or second-year player Carlton Davis. Pettis has moved around a decent amount over the games he has played so it is not certain if Shanahan will use him more in the slot or outside. Forgotten man Marquise Goodwin, finds himself in a stellar matchup. Goodwin is an Olympic-level sprinter who can fly and he will find himself matched with starting corners who did not top a 4.50 40-yard dash. In what projects to be a shootout, don’t be surprised to Goodwin haul in a few long bombs and maybe even wind-up in the endzone. Rookie Deebo Samuel is a risky a play this week. The matchup is fantastic but we cannot be certain how much work Samuel will see. I would keep Samuel on the bench this week and wait and see what his usage is. George Kittle went gangbusters last season and projects to repeat. Although the 49ers have added receiving weapons all offseason, Kittle is still the no doubt #1 target on this team. He will be playing in the same offseason with an upgrade at the QB position. Kittle should lay waste to the Bucs defense and find himself with a great chance as the TE1 for the week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
- Jameis Winston
Ryan Fitzpatrick is officially out of the picture, and it is time for Jameis Winston to regain the trust of fantasy fans across the globe. Winston finds himself in a game with a Vegas total of 50.00 in his home barn. This is the perfect game for Jameis Winston to set a tone for what we can expect to see from him for the rest of the season. The 49ers have improved their defense this offseason both on the D-Line and at linebacker, but have failed to address their secondary apart from the oft-injured Jason Verrett. Besides Richard Sherman, there is no one to take notice of in 49ers secondary. This bodes well for Winston, who enters this game with what is arguably the best WR and TE trio in the entire league. He will be protected by Pro Football Focus’ 24th ranked offensive line against an extremely strong defensive line, however, Winston was one of the best QBs under pressure posting a top 6 passer rating when the defense was getting close. The Bucs terrible defense matched with a high-powered opposing offense spells shootout for this week’s game. Start Winston with confidence and enjoy as the points continue to go up on the scoreboard.
Running Backs
- Peyton Barber
- Ronald Jones II
- Dare Ogunbowale
The Bucs backfield is a certified mess and is almost entirely a spot to avoid for week 1. Peyton Barber is projected to be the team’s starter with Ronald Jones mixing in and Dare Ogunbowale playing on passing downs. The team has already stated they want to go with the hot hand approach so it is hard to trust any of the three. To make matters worse, the 49ers have an above-average run defense going against the Bucs aforementioned lowly ranked offensive line. Barber is the only player that can be considered startable (as a very low-end flex) as he is slated to get goal-line work so he possesses TD upside. For week 1, I would recommend keeping all 3 on your bench and waiting to see if anyone pulls away with the job.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
- Mike Evans
- Chris Godwin
- Breshad Perriman
- O.J Howard
- Cameron Brate
Now it is time for the easiest part of previewing this game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving group is by far one of the most impressive in the entire NFL. With studly starters and respectable depth, they are a joy to watch. Starting receiver Mike Evans enters this season fresh off his 5th consecutive year with over 1,000 receiving yards. He will be lining up mainly against Richard Sherman in this matchup. It is unclear if Sherman will follow the shadow, but Evans does travel to both sides of the field so he will see the former Seahawk. Sherman is still one of the tougher assignments for a WR and Evans will have his hands full. But, Evans is one of the premiere WRs in the NFL and is talented enough to produce even in a tough matchup. In 2018, Evans posted 6 catches for 116 yards against the 49ers. He is locked and loaded WR1 this week. Evans’ up and coming teammate Chris Godwin is in store for a major breakout season and week 1 will kick it off. If Sherman follows Evans, Godwin will see a heavy dose of Ahkello Witherspoon, who has been mediocre at best over his time in the NFL. Godwin had a quiet showing in last years matchup against the Niners but no longer will be competing with DeSean Jackson for snaps and targets. Godwin is in a prime spot for a monster game and should be started with confidence. Breshad Perriman is my sleeper for the following matchup. Perriman has game-breaking speed going up against a rather slow secondary. The game projects to have a high score with a lot of plays run. Perriman is the locked-in WR3 for the Bucs and has a great chance of finding himself on the receiving end of a Winston bomb. As if the Bucs needed more receiving weapons we move on to the TE position. O.J. Howard is another player primed for a breakout season. He has shown flashes of dominance over his two years in the league but has not managed to sustain it over a season. He has a great opportunity to start the year off right against a new-look Niners defense. The Niners may not be the same pushover defense of the past but they still don’t have it all together. Howard is talented enough to exploit the defense with the help of offensive guru Bruce Arians. Howard is a top tier tight end this week. Cameron Brate has almost entirely lost his fantasy appeal but may be in for a sneaky good game. Similar to the reasoning behind Perriman, in a game where there should be a lot of points scored all players have an upside. Brate is one of Winston’s favorite red-zone targets and could land a score.
–Matthew Perri (@MattPerri91)