Game 13

Bucs (6-6) at 49ers (8-4) 

Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.

TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13, DirecTV Channel 713.

Streaming: NFL+ and Buccaneers.com (Geographic restrictions apply).

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network WXTB-FM 97.9 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region (Transmisiones de radio en español en WTMP-FM 96.1 y WMGG-AM 1470 en Tampa). Additional stations throughout Florida on the Buccaneers Radio Network can be found here. The game also will be broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 382 (Buccaneers Radio Network broadcast).

Weather: Per Weather.com, expect a rainy, raw day in Silicon Valley. Temperature at kickoff is an OK 52 degrees but there is a 70 percent chance of rain. This percentage of precipitation is expected throughout the game and the temperature will pretty much hold the same as well. There is an expected wind of 10 mph at kickoff which will gradually subside as the game grows old. Yesterday Joe was walking in the rain and it was windy and rainy and chilly and downright raw.

Odds: Per BetMGM, as of midnight last night, 49ers -3.5; over/under 37.

Referees: Brad Allen is a borderline homer. He believes in home cooking. Per Sharp Football Analysis, 56 percent of the flags he and his crew have thrown are against the visiting team. Allen and his crew are mostly a “let ’em play” outfit which should help Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith.

Injuries: Bucs — Doubtful: DB Mike Edwards (hamstring), S Antoine Winfield (ankle), RT Tristan Wirfs (ankle). Questionable: RB Playoff Lenny (foot), DT Akiem Hicks (foot), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quad). 49ers — Out: QB Jimmy GQ (foot), DB Tarvarius Moore (knee),  DL Hassan Ridgeway (pec).  Questionable: DE Nick Bosa (hamstring).

Outlook: It simply boils down to this: Do the Bucs want to win or do the Bucs want to back their way into the playoffs? The Bucs have a strong defense. They have the potential to be lethal passing the game. If the Bucs try to play power football, barring three or four 49ers turnovers, the Bucs will get beat. If the Bucs unchain the offense and be aggressive, they can win. If the 49ers were so unbeatable, how is it they have four losses? If the Bucs would have just played smart football this year, they would at least have the same record as San Francisco (8-4). If the Bucs played smart against the Packers and Browns, they would have won those games. Don’t get Joe started on the Steelers loss and the most irresponsible gameplan Joe has ever seen from a team with playoff goals. What do Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich choose to do? Be aggressive and beat the 49ers who are starting Mr. Irrelevent, a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut start, or play for a tie and lose. The choice is yours, gentlemen. What do you want your team to do?

Fun fact: Rookie quarterbacks making their first NFL start against a Tom Brady-led team are 0-7.

.@rondebarber breaks down the defensive play he calls "the most defining play of the game" & more from MNF 🎞️ pic.twitter.com/IRNYY5yTuR

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 8, 2022