Related video: Voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shares his favorite game call

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Despite facing significant injuries to significant players, both the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are continuing to secure victories. This bodes well for their future outings in the season.

First, they face off Sunday in Tampa Bay.

A pair of 4-1 teams leading their divisions meet in one of just two matchups in Week 6 featuring winning teams.

Playoff preview? Maybe. Getting healthy and staying in first place is the immediate priority.

“Being able to pile up wins early and then having your top players return later is beneficial for strengthening the latter part of the season,” expressed Bucs coach Todd Bowles. “When players gain experience and contribute to victories early on, it only serves to enhance our team’s prospects.”

With Brock Purdy sidelined due to a toe injury, Mac Jones is set to make his fourth consecutive start for the 49ers. Currently 3-0 in this role, Jones is performing impressively and aligning with the expectations the New England Patriots had when they picked him in the first round back in 2021.

Jones is indicating potential to become a successful franchise quarterback, similar to predecessors like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, both of whom found renewed success after initial stints with other teams.

“I enjoy discovering ways to win challenging games,” said Niners coach Kyle Shanahan. “Ultimately, the specifics of road or home games don’t matter much. I’ve had seasons starting at 5-0 that didn’t lead to playoffs and similarly turned around an 0-4 start to reach them. The key focus is how we stand at the end of 17 games, not the sequence of wins and losses.”

In Tampa Bay, Mayfield is excelling and delivering performances worthy of MVP consideration. With him at the helm, the Buccaneers have clinched four victories by scoring in the final minute, showcasing his leadership and execution in high-pressure scenarios.

“I love what he’s doing right now. I love the way he’s playing. I love the space he’s in, mentally and physically getting it done,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of Mayfield. “The mastery of the offense in his second year has really done a lot. Them understanding and communicating what he likes and doesn’t like, and him throwing to the open guys and making everybody better, has really helped. I’m very proud of that.”

Run CMC turns into Catch CMC

Christian McCaffrey the runner has gotten off to a slow start running the ball with his 3.1 yards per carry ranking fifth-worst among 44 qualifiers so far this season. McCaffrey the receiver has been a different story. McCaffrey is third in the NFL with 39 catches through five games and sixth with 387 yards. He’s on pace to smash the single-season record for yards receiving for a running back and for 133 catches, which would be the sixth-most for any player in a season. McCaffrey is also on pace for the most touches from scrimmage in a season in more than a decade but he isn’t worried about the heavy workload.

“I feel great for what it’s worth,” he said.

Rookie sensation

The Buccaneers couldn’t ask for a better start from rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, who has stepped into the No. 1 receiver role with Mike Evans sidelined. The former Ohio State standout has 25 receptions for 445 yards and five TDs. He had a career-best 163 yards on seven receptions with one TD in last week’s 38-35 win at Seattle. Egbuka is the sixth receiver since 2020 to record back-to-back 100-yard receiving performances.

“He is just pretty damn good, that is about it,” Mayfield said.

Steady Eddy

Eddy Pineiro has solved San Francisco’s kicking woes after being signed in Week 2 to replace Jake Moody, who was cut after missing two short field goals in the opener. The Niners were lucky to be able to sign Pineiro, who hadn’t even gone to camp with any team this season. Pineiro has made all 11 field goals this year and is the third-most accurate field goal kicker of all time. He made a career-long 59 yarder last week against the Rams, as well as 41-yarder in overtime that deflected off the upright.

“I didn’t hit it the best, but I feel like it had a shot,” he said. “And then, once it ‘French kissed’ the pole — I’m going to be taking that pole to dinner soon.”

Rachaad’s time

With running back Bucky Irving sidelined by foot and shoulder injuries, Rachaad White stepped into his former role as Tampa Bay’s lead back and scored two TDs on the ground and finished with 71 scrimmage yards. The Bucs have two backs they consider primary guys and White was up to the task.