San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final Score: Buccaneers 30, 49ers 19
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
A battle between two 4-1 teams would shape up to be a very interesting game — at least until the fourth quarter. The 49ers started off shaky on their first few drives, but Mac Jones eventually found his rhythm in the passing game, connecting on big plays to Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson.
Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last. The offensive line began to struggle, unable to hold up against the Buccaneers’ pass rush. As a result, the offense was under constant pressure and failed to convert on key drives, causing them to fall behind.
On the Buccaneers’ side, the first quarter was also a bit shaky. However, Baker Mayfield settled in and the offense began to click, even after losing one of their star receivers for the second half. Despite the setback, Tampa Bay maintained momentum and controlled the game down the stretch.
Three Up
- Kendrick Bourne — The player of the game has to be Bourne despite the loss. He made big plays all game long and finished with more yards than any other pass catcher.
- Baker Mayfield — After a slow start, Mayfield took control of this game, making big plays one after the other, especially his 15-yard run for a first down.
- Rachaad White — White continues to show that the team can have a decent run game without Bucky Irving, but was able to put up the yards when it mattered.
Three Down
- Mac Jones — Despite throwing for over 300 yards, Jones had multiple turnovers and took way too many sacks in this game.
- Emeka Egbuka — Didn’t play in the second half due to a hamstring injury. Hopefully, this is not a long-term issue.
- Jauan Jennings — Jennings showed that he didn’t look 100% on the field, and he was limited as well.
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Mac Jones : 27/39, 347 Yards, 2 INTs | 5 Carries, 13 Yards
Mac Jones got another start under center for the 49ers, filling in for Brock Purdy, who missed yet another game due to injury. Jones got off to a rough start, struggling to move the ball on the first three drives of the game. One early setback came from a miscommunication with Kendrick Bourne that resulted in an interception. On the other drives, even when the offensive line gave him time, Jones took costly sacks on crucial third downs.
However, after the shaky start, Jones began to settle in and found a rhythm. He started pushing the ball downfield with confidence, completing three passes of 30 yards or more in the first half alone. Once he found his groove, Jones looked poised and in control, helping to keep the 49ers’ offense competitive through the early part of the game.
In the second half, Jones came out throwing well, showing confidence in his reads and accuracy. However, despite the strong start, he struggled to sustain drives as the Buccaneers’ defense turned up the pressure. The offensive line continued to falter, and Jones was sacked multiple times — nearly losing the ball on one of them.
The pressure ultimately got to him. Late in the fourth quarter, with the game still within reach, Jones made a critical mistake, throwing an interception directly to a defender — a play that effectively sealed the 49ers’ fate. While Jones did the best he could with the pieces around him, the Buccaneers simply played at a different level. Under relentless pressure, Jones folded in key moments. Despite the loss, there was a silver lining: This marked the first time in Jones’ career that he’s had back-to-back 300-yard games.
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: 17 Carries, 54 Yards, TD | 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 58 Yards
Niners star running back Christian McCaffrey did what he usually does — make an impact both on the ground and through the air. He finished the game with 112 all-purpose yards. McCaffrey was heavily involved early, recording 15 touches in the first half, including five receptions. He served as a key safety valve for Jones, especially when pressure forced quick decisions, and he capped off the strong start with a touchdown. His versatility kept the Buccaneers’ defense on its heels throughout the opening two quarters.
However, things slowed down for McCaffrey in the second half. His touches dropped to just nine, and most of his second-half yardage came on one of the final plays of the game. The Buccaneers’ defense clearly made adjustments, working to limit dump-offs and short-yardage passes to McCaffrey — a shift that opened opportunities for tight end Jake Tonges, who began to take over as the short-area target.
Despite the reduced workload in the second half, McCaffrey still managed to put together a solid overall performance. As always, he remains a central figure in the 49ers’ offensive game plan and should continue to produce at a high level moving forward.
Brian Roinson Jr.: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 8 Yards
Kyle Juszczyk: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Kendrick Bourne: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 142 Yards
The biggest player of the game was veteran Kendrick Bourne, who finished with 142 receiving yards. Bourne has been Jones’ go-to target in his last two starts, and that connection continued against Tampa Bay. While a miscommunication between the two early in the game led to an interception, they quickly rebounded on the next drive with a 41-yard catch-and-run by Bourne.
Bourne made the two biggest plays of the night for the 49ers — that 41-yard gain and a 56-yard reception later in the game. He consistently showed off his yards-after-catch ability, gaining extra yardage on nearly every grab. However, Bourne did struggle on a few contested-catch opportunities, as defenders were draped over him and he appeared hesitant to secure the ball.
Even with those minor issues, Bourne proved he remains a dynamic playmaker in this offense. As long as Jones is under center, Bourne will continue to be an impact player for this team.
Jake Tonges: 7 Targets, 6 Receptions, 58 Yards
Veteran tight end Jake Tonges has been enjoying a mini-breakout season filling in as the starter for George Kittle. He got off to a slow start against the Buccaneers, not recording his first target until the third quarter. As mentioned in the McCaffrey item, Tonges benefited from Jones looking for short, underneath options and using him as a safety blanket in the second half.
Most of Tonges’ receptions came on short passes where he showcased his toughness and ability to gain yards after the catch. He also had one notable deep reception, beating his defender in man coverage for a 16-yard gain. While Tonges has made the most of his opportunity, his run as the starter may soon come to an end with Kittle expected to return.
Jauan Jennings: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Many were excited to see the return of Jauan Jennings, who had missed the past few games. However, Jennings wasn’t heard from until the second half, when he committed a false start penalty. It was clear he wasn’t at full strength in this matchup, as he lacked his usual burst and explosiveness on routes.
His only reception came on a short slant for 7 yards. According to Adam Schefter, Jennings is playing through five broken ribs along with both a high- and low-ankle sprain. Given those injuries, it’s likely he won’t be fully healthy for some time and may serve primarily as a decoy until he can recover.
Demarcus Robinson: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 44 Yards
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 22 Yards
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: 17/23, 256 Yards, 2 TD | 3 Carries, 14 Yards
Baker Mayfield had a solid outing against the 49ers, though it started a bit slow as he struggled with passing accuracy early on. He missed Emeka Egbuka twice on throws that were behind the receiver — both of which could have been easy completions. However, as the game moved into the second quarter, the veteran quarterback settled in and looked much more comfortable leading the offense.
Mayfield’s second-quarter touchdown pass showcased his command of the offense. He made an adjustment at the line of scrimmage to Kameron Johnson and found him wide open for the score. Throughout the game, Mayfield did an excellent job extending plays, moving around the pocket, and keeping his eyes downfield. His second touchdown was a beautiful deep ball to Tez Johnson for another wide-open touchdown.
Despite missing his star rookie receiver, Mayfield trusted his playmakers and delivered the right throws when needed. His play of the game came on a crucial third-and-14, where he escaped what looked like a sure sack, broke a tackle, and picked up the first down. That clutch effort helped seal a key victory for the Buccaneers against the 49ers.
Running Back
Rachaad White: 17 Carries, 65 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 21 Yards
Veteran running back Rachaad White filled in nicely for Bucky Irving with another solid performance. White got off to a strong start with several efficient runs early in the game, though the 49ers’ defense adjusted even after losing Fred Warner in the first quarter.
Volume was the key for White in this matchup, as he consistently moved the chains and helped set up scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, he missed out on a potential touchdown after leading the team downfield, with Sean Tucker subbing in to finish the drive. Most of White’s targets came on screens, where he did a good job gaining yards after the catch and keeping the offense on schedule.
Until Irving returns, White remains a reliable floor play among running backs, offering steady usage and consistent involvement in both the running and passing game.
Sean Tucker: 6 Carries, 25 yards, TD
Third-string running back Sean Tucker made the most of his limited opportunities, finding the end zone after coming in as a fresh set of legs while White took a quick breather. Most of Tucker’s touches came during a drive early in the fourth quarter, where he displayed his burst and acceleration to the outside to pick up solid yardage. Likely doesn’t have a big role in this offense even as the current backup.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Emeka Egbuka: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
The injury bug continues to hit the Buccaneers’ receiving corps, as Emeka Egbuka exited this game with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, it’s unclear exactly when the injury occurred — there was no clear stoppage in play for him, and several replays offered no obvious indication of when it might have happened. The team announced during the first drive of the second half that Egbuka would not return.
Before leaving the game, Egbuka played well. He should have finished with four receptions, but Mayfield missed him twice on throws that were behind the receiver — both on plays where Egbuka had created solid separation. Hopefully, the injury is not a long-term concern, as Egbuka had been building strong chemistry with Mayfield in recent weeks.
Sterling Shepard: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 51 Yards
Veteran receiver Sterling Shepard didn’t make a huge impact on the stat sheet, finishing with just 51 yards, but both of his receptions were impressive. His first came in the opening quarter on a beautiful sideline grab from Mayfield. His second came late in the fourth quarter — a 10-yard catch over the middle that he turned into a 31-yard gain, showcasing his speed and agility to make defenders miss. While his overall volume was limited, Shepard made the most of his chances. If Egbuka’s injury proves to be long-term, Shepard’s role in the offense could continue to expand in the coming weeks.
Cade Otton: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 51 Yards
Tight end Cade Otton turned in one of his better performances of the season. Interestingly, following Egbuka’s final catch in the second quarter, Otton became more involved, hauling in three receptions shortly thereafter. He’s long been the type of player who steps up when others go down, and he did just that in this game with dependable, efficient play.
Most of Otton’s targets came on short, underneath routes where he showcased his athleticism and ability to gain yards after the catch. If Egbuka ends up missing time, Otton could see an increased target share moving forward, as Mayfield continues to rely on him as a steady option in the passing game.
Tez Johnson: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 45 Yards, TD
Rookie Tez Johnson made a highlight-reel touchdown grab against the 49ers. He ran a seam route over the middle, beating his defender and fully extending his shorter frame to secure the score. It was an impressive display of body control and concentration from the young receiver.
It will be interesting to see if Johnson earns more playing time moving forward. He brings a dynamic element to the Buccaneers’ offense — one they could certainly use, especially if Emeka Egbuka ends up missing time.
Kameron Johnson: 4targets, 4 Receptions, 64 Yards, 1 TD
Kameron Johnson has primarily been a special teams contributor this season, but he made a noticeable impact in this game. His first target resulted in a 34-yard touchdown grab in the second quarter, giving the Buccaneers a spark on offense. Later in the game, he added two more receptions of 14 and 17 yards during the fourth quarter, continuing to make plays when given opportunities.
With Egbuka sidelined, Johnson could see an increased role in the offense. It’s uncertain how much more playing time he’ll receive moving forward, but his performance in this game showed that he might have more to offer than just special teams value.