Editor's note: This is the second part in a series that spotlights three 49ers-Buccaneers matchups to watch Sunday, 10 a.m., at Raymond James Stadium.
49ers CB Carlos Rogers vs. Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson
[RELATED: Matchup No. 3: Bruce Miller vs. Lavonte David]
Tale of the tape
Rogers (22): 6 foot, 192 pounds, ninth season, Auburn
Jackson (83): 6 foot 5, 230 pounds, ninth season, Northern Colorado
Cornerback Carlos Rogers, who slides inside to cover slot receivers, often has the challenge of covering young, smaller, quicker receivers.
And while Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson is a couple years younger than Rogers, he is 5 inches taller and nearly 40 pounds heavier.
The Buccaneers, winners of four of their past five games, do not have a lot of firepower on offense. In fact, only one team is ranked lower in passing in the entire NFL. (That team happens to be the 49ers.)
But a good percentage of the production Tampa Bay gets from their passing game comes from Jackson, who is rookie quarterback Mike Glennon’s preferred target.
“They’ve got more than Jackson,” 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said, “but, obviously, Jackson is their guy. He’s made some big plays for them.”
Jackson leads the Bucs with 64 receptions for 1,033 yards and six touchdowns.
He lines up on all sides of Tampa Bay’s offensive formation, but he’ll mostly be matched against Rogers. According to Pro Football Focus, 35.7 of his routes are from the right side, which would match him against Rogers. And on 38.6 percent of pass plays, Jackson lines up in the slot.
When Rogers has been targeted this season, he is allowing a 71.1 passer rating, according to PFF. And Rogers has been particularly good while playing the slot receiver. Rogers allows a reception every 11.5 snaps he’s in the slot, which ranks second in the NFL.
