Colin Kaepernick has gotten plenty of attention this season. Unfortunately it hasn’t been for his performance between the white lines, rather his exploits on them. The San Francisco 49ers will try just about anything to be competitive and that includes giving the reins to Kap, who looks nothing like the quarterback that directed the team to a Super Bowl just four seasons ago. The Niners may have their best chance of getting a win when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. You know the Bucs are thinking the same thing.
This matchup in Week 7 of the regular season will take place on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 4:05 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2
San Francisco 49ers +2
Over/Under 47.5
Odds Analysis
The 49ers are just 1-5 ATS this season, but that win came at Levi’s Stadium in the opener and they are 6-5 ATS at home since the start of 2015, which isn’t bad considering they are 6-16 SU in all games during that time. The Bucs are getting plenty of action with 64 percent of the wagers being placed on the visitors. The under is getting nearly 64 percent of the early bets and that number looks high. I expect to see some movement on the total before kickoff.
Injury Report
Vincent Jackson – Tampa Bay’s receiver is being evaluated for a knee injury sustained in the Bucs last game. The injury went without mention during the bye but Jackson could miss some time. His numbers are low this season, but Jackson is a big target at 6-foot-5 and will be missed in red zone situations.
Carlos Hyde – The 49ers don’t have many play-makers on offense and they could be minus one if Hyde’s shoulder injury prevents him from playing. Hyde is the team’s leading rusher by plenty and has been a contributor in the passing game. The Niners weak offense could be less effective without him.
Player to Watch
It wasn’t too long ago that Kaepernick was transcending the quarterback position. He was the talk of the NFL after leading the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII where they came within three points of a title. He guided the Niners back to the NFC Championship the following season and earned a hefty contract in the process. Things were good for Kap. It started to unravel in 2014 when the coach who showed so much confidence in him was involved in a power struggle with the higher ups. The team also started losing talent through attrition, free agency and retirement. Once Jim Harbaugh left, in effect, so did Kaepernick. He struggled in the offense under Jim Tomsula and injuries prevented him from finishing last season.
Kaepernick declined as quickly as the Niners. There is no denying Kaepernick’s arm strength and he has the ability to do damage with his legs. In the glory days he had a strong supporting cast, now he doesn’t. Kaepernick hadn’t played meaningful snaps in a regular season game since Week 8 of 2015 before getting the start last week. The rust was evident against the Bills. He misfired high. He threw the ball too low. He threw more incomplete passes than he completed. But he’s the only option Chip Kelly has and he’s playing to keep his career alive. That could be more meaningful than anything right now.
Free ATS Pick
Things set up nicely for the Buccaneers coming out of their bye with a game against the Niners. Tampa Bay ended a three-game slide the last time out, knocking off the Panthers on the road and has plenty of confidence with a chance to get a game closer to the .500 mark. The Bucs are hopeful to have Doug Martin back in the lineup after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury. That would help against the league’s worst run defense. Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 101 yards as the starting back against the Panthers and likely expanded his role in the offense.
The Niners have had no answers on defense following the loss of Ray-Ray Armstrong and NaVorro Bowman to season-ending injuries. Once again they were run over, the last time by the Bills and they’ve shown nothing that says they can stop the run. Tampa Bay will run the football and control the clock turning this into a grounded affair. The Niners can’t throw the ball and without Hyde, the run suffers as well. I don’t see a lot of points being scored, but the Bucs get a few more for a cover win.
NFL Odds: Buccaneers 17, 49ers 13
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