Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers, Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, November 21, 2010, 4:05 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: 49ers -4
Current Line: 49ers -3
Opening Total: 41.5
Current Total: 41.5
Money Line: 49ers -190 / Bucs +160
The San Francisco 49ers (3-6) have won three of their last four games following an 0-5 start but will need to continue winning if they hope to reach their goal of making the playoffs. The next challenge for San Francisco (-3) involves this home matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3), who have also won three of their last four following a 31-16 rout of Carolina last week.
The 49ers edged St. Louis 23-20 in overtime last week thanks to a remarkable performance from former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, who made his fourth career start in place of injured quarterback Alex Smith and threw for a career-high 356 yards. Alex Smith has been cleared to play after separating his shoulder in a 23-20 loss at Carolina in Week 7, but San Francisco head coach Mike Singletary has decided to give Troy Smith the nod due to his recent success.
Running back Frank Gore is averaging 114 rushing yards per game during his team’s 3-1 run and will look to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s 31st-ranked run defense. The Buccaneers are surrendering 143.8 rushing yards per game and gave up 100 yards to Carolina’s fourth-stringer Mike Goodson last week.
Tampa’s offense has been fairly balanced lately due to the emergence of rookie running back LeGarrette Blount, who has rushed for 329 yards and three touchdowns in the last four games. That has helped take some pressure off second-year quarterback Josh Freeman even though he has been clutch late in games when his team has needed him the most. Freeman completed 18 of 24 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Panthers.
San Francisco’s defense will focus on stopping both Freeman and Blount, and the team will also need to rely on a new kicker after Joe Nedney suffered a strained knee and bone bruise. Nedney kicked three field goals in last week’s win, including a 47-yarder and the game-winning 29-yard in overtime. Shane Andrus takes over for the short-term until Nedney returns and has attempted one field goal in his NFL career.
The 49ers are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games despite winning three of four straight-up while the Bucs have covered their last three with the OVER cashing each time. San Francisco is 3-1 SU and ATS in the last four meetings with the UNDER going 5-1 in the last six.
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