Refreshed and rejuvenated.
That’s exactly how the San Francisco 49ers should feel like they’re coming out of their Bye Week. It should have them locked in and ready for Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers will have a huge rest advantage over the Buccaneers.
Not only are they coming off a week without a game, but the Buccaneers are also coming off an overtime loss on Monday Night Football. The Buccaneers probably won’t be in great shape, especially compared to the 49ers. It should make for a pretty easy win for the 49ers. They get off for a week without a game, and
But what will really make it a pretty easy task is because of the 49ers’ offense. The 49ers will find offensive success against the Buccaneers. A strength of the 49ers offense is a weakness of the Buccaneers defense. That strength of the 49ers is their deployment of 21 personnel (two running backs, one tight end). According to Next Gen Stats, they’ve used the major leaguer on 39.5 percent of snaps this season.
The 49ers have averaged 7.2 yards per play on 21 personnel, the most in a season during the Kyle Shanahan era (since 2017). The Buccaneers have matched 21 men with their starting defense (four defensive backs) in 65.9 percent of games this season, slightly more often than the league average (62.6 percent).
They have allowed 212 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries while the opponent has fielded 21 men this season. It has translated to 8.8 yards per carry, the most in the NFL. So the 49ers don’t have to change anything about their offense. It’s like combining a negative with a positive. The 49ers face the perfect defense that is incredibly favorable to them.
Not to mention that Christian McCaffrey might be back for this match. It will be a field day for the 49ers against the Buccaneers. The 49ers are 4-1 in their last five games following a Bye Week. Given the favorable conditions, their record will likely improve to 5-1.
Coming off a short week after playing a tough game, Tampa Bay will now face a rested 49ers team that has the formula to decimate their defense. Sunday will be a long day for the Buccaneers.