49ers’ George Kittle needs to be highlighted against Buccaneers

The key to the San Francisco 49ers’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be that come after their transgression.

There are plenty of weaknesses that the 49ers can take advantage of. But there is one that could prove to be the key to achieving victory. That key is George Kittle. The 49ers need to use Kittle early and often against the Buccaneers. The 49ers have neglected him too often this season.

This can’t happen against the Buccaneers, especially since Kittle has a favorable matchup. The Buccaneers have allowed a career-high 9.5 yards per target to receivers aligned in the slot this season, per Next generation statistics. Of the six touchdowns allowed to receivers this season, four have come from cornerbacks, the most in the NFL.

Kittle is the only receiver in the NFL to gain at least 200 receiving yards this season while at tight end (279) and in the slot (221). He has also been efficient per route from both alignments; he is the only receiver to average more than 3.0 yards per route when aligned tight and in the slot (min. 50 routes).

So the Buccaneers beg the 49ers to beat them with Kittle. It’s low-hanging fruit that the 49ers need to pounce on. Kittle was by far the best offensive player for the 49ers this year. Let him have another explosive game instead of it being an afterthought.

The potential return of Christian McCaffrey could make things difficult. Kyle Shanahan might want to get him going and make him run heavy like before. The Buccaneers are sensitive to a running style like the 49ers, so they will definitely want to take advantage of that.

But Kittle is another way for them to make it a great game. Take the Buccaneers out of the game early so they can be on cruise control the rest of the time.