Growing up in the Bay Area you had to choose between being a 49ers or a Raiders fan. Not so much the case anymore with the Raiders relocating to Las Vegas. My grandfather was born and raised in the heart of San Francisco and was a longtime season ticket holder which made the choice a bit easier for my dad and subsequently me.
Coming into a community of Bucs fans, there is one thing that irks me. That is the MASSIVE missed opportunity of signing the golden boy, Tom Brady. Brady, being from the Bay Area, was rumored to have considered the 9ers as his top choice during his free agency. The Niners whiffed. Tom Brady then signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who go on to win Super Bowl LV. That could have been US, maybe? At the very least the San Francisco retool after the Super Bowl loss just two seasons ago would have been accelerated. As it is now, the Niners and the rest of the league are chasing the Super Bowl reigning champs. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Hopes are high for both squads and I see many similarities between the two NFC powerhouses. Besides their gunslinging quarterbacks. I see the 9ers as a younger version of the Bucs and as a team that is going to compete immediately this season. Dominant tight end George Kittle reminds many of a young Rob Gronkowski. Raheem Mostert has the ability to be an every down workhorse as Fournette was in Jacksonville. Both teams are at top of the league on the defensive side of the ball. They rely on limiting the number of points given up as a formula for winning. Not to anyone’s surprise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the favorites in their division and to be repeat champions. My Tampa prediction does not differ from the masses. However, my San Francisco 49er’s predictions probably will. After a long, injury riddled and Super Bowl hangover season, I like the 9ers to win a tough NFC West division. The Seahawks have been regressing and the 9ers seem motivated to get back to that Super Bowl appearance season. After retooling with a tightened up defensive unit and a healthy roster. Anything is possible this 2021 season. I would love to see a 9ers and Bucs matchup this year in the postseason. Wouldn’t that be a game for the ages?
