After a thrilling but ultimately painful overtime loss on Monday Night Football in Kansas City in Week Nine, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers return home to take on the NFC's reigning champion. With solid footing in the conference playoff hunt on the line, the 4-5 Buccaneers will play host to the 4-4 San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, November 10, at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast by FOX.
The Buccaneers will be operating on short rest after their prime time game in Kansas City, while the 49ers are coming off their bye week. San Francisco has also welcomed All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey back to the practice field, with the notion that he could make his 2024 debut on Sunday in Tampa.
The Buccaneers mounted a last-minute touchdown drive on Monday night to send their game with the Chiefs into an extra period, but never got to touch the ball after the home team won the coin toss and drove for the winning touchdown. Baker Mayfield completely 23 of 31 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns on a rainy night at Arrowhead Stadium, increasing his league-leading total to 23 scoring tosses.
The 49ers most recently beat the Dallas Cowboys, 30-24, in Week Eight before their bye week, and their four losses have come by an average of five points. Quarterback Brock Purdy has thrown for 2,101 yards, with a 10-7 TD-INT ratio and a 93.7 passer rating. His favorite target has been tight end George Kittle, who has hauled in 40 passes for 503 yards and six touchdowns. In McCaffrey's absence, Jordan Mason has rushed for 685 yads and three scores. Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner continues to lead the San Francisco defense, with 66 tackles, a sack and two interceptions.
The Buccaneers have fallen two games off the pace in the NFC South behind the Atlanta Falcons, but have a chance to strike a major blow in the conference playoff hunt against San Francisco. After that contest, the Bucs will enjoy a bye week that could help them get such key performers as Mike Evans and Jamel Dean back in the lineup.
