NFL news: Week 6 - San Francisco 49ers clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in another NFC battle; How to watch, analysis and more
After a phenomenal Week 5 of the NFL season, Week 6 brings us some excellent matchups, with a certain team returning again for my game of the weekend.
The San Francisco 49ers travel to Raymond James Stadium, down in sunny Florida, to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what looks to be a fantastic NFC match-up on Sunday.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s NFL writer Finley Young takes a look at the game of the weekend.
(The Buccaneers (4-1) feature once again in my game of the weekend preview as I’ve finally realised they are probably a safe bet for it.)
Squeaky ‘Bucs’ time
The Buccaneers are the first team in NFL history to record four wins sealed inside the final minute. Yes, you read that right - the final minute.
So, how do they keep on doing it?
They have won all four games by just one score, getting over the line against the Atlanta Falcons (23-20), Houston Texans (20-19), New York Jets (29-27), and most recently in a Sunday night thriller against the Seattle Seahawks (38-35).
On top of that, they’ve only been beaten by last year’s Super Bowl winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, in a tightly contested game that finished 31-25 to Philly.
Is it time we start talking about the Bucs as serious Super Bowl LX contenders?
The Gold Rush
This Sunday probably brings Tampa’s toughest task yet, facing Kyle Shanahan’s (4-1) 49ers team.
San Francisco are in red-hot form and come into this game after a big divisional win versus the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
Shanahan's side scraped past their division rivals 26-23 in overtime, despite being away from home and with a heavily banged-up team.
The 49ers were missing star wide receivers Juan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, as well as quarterback Brock Purdy, for the game versus the Rams.
However, star running back Christian McCaffery continued his excellent form, becoming the only NFL player to surpass 100 yards in every game so far this season.
And, newly acquired quarterback, Mac Jones, put in a brilliant performance against the Rams (342 yards, two TDs), confirming his steady rise in this offence.
Both players will be key if the 49ers are going to get the win versus the Bucs this weekend.
Throw the football
Tampa Bay’s defence gave up a lot of yards in the air versus the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and that will be an area that Kyle Shanahan will be looking to exploit again in this weekend's game.
San Francisco currently holds the top spot for net passing yards per game in the NFL this season, averaging 290.6 yards in the air so far.
If wide receivers Juan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall can make it back for Sunday's game, then the 49ers could seriously hurt this Buccaneers defence.
The 49ers will have to be careful, though, as the Bucs will also be confident they can do some damage to this 49ers defence.
The Bucs have been cooking on offence so far this season.
Bromance brewing
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has produced some stunning performances so far and has put himself into the early-season MVP conversation.
Mayfield produced another clutch performance versus the Seahawks on Sunday night football, throwing for a monster 379 yards and two TDs.
However, it's his connection with star rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka which is even more impressive.
On Sunday, Mayfield's passer rating to the rookie was 158.3.
That’s the maximum number possible for a quarterback. It means he was perfect when targeting Egbuka downfield.
Egbuka also did his job, catching all seven of his targets for a huge 163 yards and a touchdown.
Bucs head coach, Todd Bowles, will be hoping the pair can continue their early-season bromance versus the 49ers this weekend.
It’s certainly going to be a brilliant game, and I can see some high scores being put up by both teams in what could turn out to be a last-minute shootout for both sides.
Sorry, Bucs fans, but I think you’re in for another wild ride this Sunday.
However, good news for 49ers fans, as San Francisco are currently on a four-game winning streak in the head-to-head series versus the Buccaneers.
Can they make it five this weekend? We shall see, I know I can’t wait for it, I hope you can’t either.
Enjoy another great weekend of football, everyone!
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San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick-off time?
The game is scheduled for Sunday, October 12th at 16:25pm for US viewers - and 21:25pm for UK viewers.
Where to watch San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
In the UK, the game will be available on DAZN, Sky Sports NFL and NFL Redzone.
At which venue is San Francisco 49ers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers being played?
The game will take place at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
