The last time the 49ers and Buccaneers met, over five years ago, San Francisco head coach Steve Mariucci was making his regular season coaching debut.

Not only did Tampa Bay defeat San Francisco that day, 13-6, but they also knocked out 49ers stars Jerry Rice (knee) and Steve Young (mild concussion).

“It was a rough way to start a pro career,” Mariucci told the San Francisco Chronicle this week.

However, never underestimate a head coach whose last name ends in a vowel. With his job security still up in the air, Mariucci would love nothing more than to avenge his first career loss by knocking out the Buccaneers, advancing the 49ers to the NFC Championship game.

The question now becomes how the 49ers will respond after last week’s amazing comeback against the Giants. The 49ers may not have enough energy after their emotional first-round game and a cross-country trip to Tampa Bay. Or, this team could be more confident and enthusiastic as they’ve ever been.

One thing we do know is that if they have any shot at winning, they must take the shackles off quarterback Jeff Garcia early. It is not out of the realm of possibility that they may start in the two-minute drill against a very tough Buccaneers defense.

This would force Tampa Bay into a difficult situation by putting their defense on its heels. If they start the game by spreading out their offense and allowing Garcia to play at his full ability, then they can get the ball more to wide receiver Tai Streets and tight end Eric Johnson. By doing this, it will open the game up for a running game that struggled last week, and more significantly, it will give Terrell Owens more room to work.

The Buccaneers feature a tough Cover-two defense, which is predicated on speed and aggressiveness — where the Buccaneers excel. It is designed to disrupt long passing routes, while putting pressure on the quarterback. In a Cover-two, the deep zones are split into two, with each safety taking half the field. When you hear the terms Cover-two, Cover-three, or Cover-four it refers to how many defensive backs you have playing deep zones.

The Cover-two defense’s weakness lies down the middle, where the safeties are split. This will allow for Garcia to pick at Tampa Bay by using his tight ends and slot receivers.

It certainly won’t be easy for San Francisco against this defense though. Tampa Bay linebacker, and 2002 defensive player of the year, Derrick Brooks, along with all-pro defensive tackle Warren Sapp will look to put pressure on Garcia all day. Cornerback Ronde Barber and safety John Lynch head an excellent Tampa Bay secondary that could give 49ers receivers fits.

Points will not be easy to come by.

That is why the 49ers defense needs to step up this week and play well against a mediocre Tampa offense. 49ers cornerback Ahmed Plummer must improve his play from last week when Amani Toomer torched him for three touchdowns. This week he will face another premier wide receiver in Keyshawn Johnson. Cornerback Jason Webster could provide much needed support if he can make it past a left ankle sprain sustained against the Rams in the season finale.

This is definitely a winnable game for the 49ers. If they can use last week’s offensive player of the week, Jeff Garcia, to his maximum capability and pass the ball all over the field, their offense could explode as it did in the second half against the Giants. They will need plenty of help from their defense too though, in what will most likely be a low-scoring contest.

My Prediction: 49ers 24, Buccaneers 21