The San Francisco 49ers have designs on narrowing the gap to the Philadelphia Eagles in the race for the NFC's one seed this week when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

San Francisco is a heavy favorite to build on last week's 34-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, which ended a three-game losing streak.

But the 49ers cannot afford to be complacent against a Buccaneers team that is dangerous on offense and plays an aggressive brand of defense while doing an excellent job of taking away the run. The Niners are expected to prevail, but this game won't be without its tests.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
Date: Sunday, November 19
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Levi's Stadium/Santa Clara, CA
Betting odds: 49ers -14, Over/Under 41.5
How to watch on TV: Fox
Streaming: FuboTV, YouTube TV, Network apps, etc.
Radio: KNBR 680 AM / 104.5 FM, 107.7 FM “The Bone" / SacTown Sports 1140AM

Can Purdy repeat the feat?

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made his first start against the same opposition in Week 14 last season and shredded Tampa Bay in a 35-7 rout, getting the better of Tom Brady.

It was a remarkable start that served as a harbinger of what has followed from the last pick of the 2022 draft. 

After getting back on track in a big way against Jacksonville and avoiding the turnovers that defined the Niners' winless run, Purdy must ensure he doesn't serve up the giveaways that can serve as an equalizer against a Tampa Bay defense he should be able to dissect again nearly a year on from his first start.

Will the secondary survive the test?

The 49ers shuffled things around in the secondary last week, to all intents and purpose benching slot corner Isaiah Oliver and promoting Ambry Thomas into a role that saw him play outside on nickel downs.

It paid significant dividends as Thomas held up well in coverage and the move of Deommodore Lenoir to the slot resulted in better communication in the defensive backfield. 

Even with protection from a defensive front that appeared rejuvenated against the Jags, there's no guarantee of secondary success continuing, and Thomas, Lenoir and Charvarius Ward can ill-afford a slip-up against a receiving corps featuring two fearsome presences in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

3 Players to watch

• RB Christian McCaffrey: The Buccaneers' defense is first in the NFL against the run by Expected Points Added per play and attacks the passing game with a blitz-heavy approach. McCaffrey, with his dual impact as a runner and a receiver, will be key in helping the 49ers combat Todd Bowles' group in both those areas.
• OT Colton McKivitz: The right tackle will play after recovering from knee and ankle injuries, but the Bucs will be sure to test him consistently and the man who is the weak link on the San Francisco O-Line will not have an easy task against Shaquil Barrett and promising rookie YaYa Diaby.
• CB Deommodore Lenoir: Lenoir will see plenty of Evans and Godwin playing in his versatile role rotating between the outside and the slot, and he'll also likely be tasked with defending an exceptionally fast receiver in rookie Trey Palmer. In terms of the 49ers' long-term plan in the slot, this is a huge game in which Lenoir must deliver.

More 49ers news ahead of the game

• 49ers' reunion with Jason Verrett is a win-win for all concerned
• 49ers rookie set to make long-awaited debut in Week 11

Final 49ers injury report for Week 11, vs. Buccaneers

They’re very healthy.