The key for the San Francisco 49ers to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be go down on your offensive.

There are plenty of weaknesses the 49ers can exploit. But there is one that can be the key to achieving victory. That key is George Kittle. The 49ers need to have Kittle early and often against the Buccaneers. Too many times this season the 49ers have neglected him early.

It can’t happen against the Buccaneers, especially since Kittle has a favorable matchup. The Buccaneers have allowed a league-high 9.5 yards per target to slot receivers this season, according to Next generation statistics. Of his six touchdowns allowed to receivers this season, four of them have been caught by tight ends, the most in the NFL.

Kittle is the only receiver in the NFL to gain at least 200 receiving yards when lined up tight (279) and in the slot (221) this season. He’s also been efficient per route in both alignments: He’s the only receiver to average more than 3.0 yards per route when lined up tight and in the slot (minimum 50 routes).

So the Buccaneers are begging the 49ers to beat them with Kittle. It’s low-hanging fruit that the 49ers should take advantage of. Kittle has been by far the 49ers’ best offensive player this year. Let him rack up another explosive game instead of letting him be an afterthought.

The possible return of Christian McCaffrey is what could complicate it. Kyle Shanahan may want to get him up and running hard like before. The Buccaneers are susceptible to a running style like the 49ers, so they will surely look to exploit it.

But Kittle is another way to make it a spectacular game. Get the Buccaneers out of the game early so you can control it the rest of the way.