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A look at the 49ers Week 7 home matchup against Tampa Bay:

The Basics

Vegas says: Tampa Bay by 2.

TV: Fox, 1:05 p.m./Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale (sideline).

Injury issues: Bucs–DE Robert Ayers (ankle) RB Doug Martin (hamstring) and DT Clinton McDonald (hamstring) did not practice. 49ers–RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder) and CB Rashard Robinson (concussion) did not practice.

Did you know: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a 64.8 passer rating on third down that is better than Cam Newton (64.4) and Russell Wilson (59.1).

Five Burning Questions

How much better can Colin Kaepernick get in one week?

Hard to refute he was an upgrade over Blaine Gabbert, since Kaepernick is a far superior runner and an equally erratic passer. Kaepernick put fears to rest about his speed and strength in scrambling for first downs, and it’s an area the Buccaneers will have to account for and contend with. Whether Kaepernick can throw with touch, anticipation and accuracy is another matter.

Can the 49ers hope to generate any offense without Carlos Hyde?

Hyde is out this week with a shoulder injury, and with a bye coming up, sitting him out is the right thing to do for the long term. But Hyde is also 49ers best and most consistent weapon, and barring a major surprise from either Mike Davis, Shaun Draughn or both, the 49ers are facing a defense that may have been susceptible to the run without their best offensive player.

Can the 49ers get after Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston?

Tampa Bay has the NFL’s 27th-ranked running game and the leading rusher at present is Jacquizz Rodgers with 173 yards. Yes, the 49ers have been gashed by good running teams of late, but Tampa Bay is not a good running team. That should afford the 49ers to do some damage at the line of scrimmage and pressure Winston with DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Aaron Lynch. Get a sack-fumble or a forced interception or two and who knows?

How much better can the foundation pieces get?

Face it, that’s what the 2016 season is all about for the 49ers. Buckner had a pair of sacks last week and Armstead a sack and a forced fumble. Guard Joshua Garnett got mixed reviews in his first start from Kelly. Cornerback Tramaine Brock has four passes defensed in the last two weeks. Right tackle Trent Brown needs to prove he’s the tackle for the future. These and other young 49ers are likely putting work on film for the 49ers next general manager.

Can Chip Kelly convince this team it can win?

With NaVorro Bowman out for the season and Hyde out this week, the 49ers, with a paper thin roster, will play without the unquestioned top players on both offense and defense. Given the beatings the 49ers have taken five weeks running, Kelly and his staff face a tall order in keep enthusiasm, momentum and professionalism to the point where the 49ers can stay competitive for four quarters.

The Prediction

Tampa Bay 24, 49ers 13

Could be the last winnable game for the 49ers for awhile, given the upcoming schedule. The problem is there’s just not enough offense here to justify picking a win. Their best chance is a game driven by defense and a dominating performance from the defensive line and outside linebackers, forcing Jameis Winston into mistakes.