Notes and scribbles in my notebook, watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take down the 49ers on Sunday afternoon.
The Buccaneers’ defense has been just so-so this season. They came into the game with San Francisco ranked 15th in total defense and giving up 25.2 points a game, which is their worst showing since the season before their 2021 Super Bowl win. They had not shown the ability to get consistent pressure on the quarterback.
But all they do is win. They are off to their best start after six games in franchise history. They are a perfect example of a bend but don’t break defense.
Sunday afternoon, San Francisco repeatedly took the ball down the field right into the teeth of the Buccaneers’ defense. But Tampa Bay’s defense stiffened when it mattered most, and held the 49ers to just one touchdown while forcing the 49ers into four field goals. 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones passed for 296 yards and, at one point, completed nine passes in a row against the Tampa defense.
It was nice to see a dominant pass rush for a change. The Bucs defense registered six sacks, led by Yaya Diaby and his two sacks. Lavonte David and Jamel Dean also registered sacks.
Todd Bowles and the coaching staff challenged the players this week about getting more pressure on the quarterback. “We talked about it all week, getting more pressure and challenging guys to get more pressure and work together a lot more. They really started the game off right. They got off the ball the whole night. Credit to them, they did a heck of a job.”
In the fourth quarter, with the game still hanging in the balance, the defense held the 49ers to just 39 yards and kept them off the scoreboard.
Next man up
The Buccaneers lost two starters on offense on Sunday. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka left the game in the second half with a hamstring injury, and guard Luke Haggard also limped off with a shoulder injury.
The Buccaneers entered the game down Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving, and yet that next man-up mentality served the Bucs well, as they never missed a beat in beating the 49ers.
The duo of Johnson and Johnson
Tez and Kameron Johnson rose from the bottom of the depth chart and made some key plays in the Bucs’ 30-19 take down of the 49ers.
Kameron Johnson caught four passes for 64 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career.
Tez Johnson caught just one pass, but it was a 64-yard fingertip catch for a touchdown in the second half to help propel Tampa to victory.
The Bucs will need to rely on this duo next week in Detroit. Evans, Godwin and Egbuka are not expected to play, and Jalen McMillan is still out with a neck injury.
Jamel Dean, welcome back
Although Buccaneer fans have harshly criticized him for his play, Jamel Dean had maybe his best game in a Tampa uniform.
Dean recorded his first career sack and picked off a Mac Jones pass, his second interception of the year. This set up the 45-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal, which put the Bucs up 30-19 late in the game.
MVP Baker Mayfield
This was another masterpiece by Baker Mayfield as he sliced and diced the 49ers defense with his passing and scrambling, putting the team on his back to help the Bucs win this NFC matchup.
The third and 14-yard run, which gave the Bucs a first down, was beautiful. It was all Baker Mayfield. He would not be denied, and that play would be a key second-half play to help the Bucs secure the win.
Mayfield finished the game 17-of-23 for 256 yards and two touchdowns.
There are a lot of imperfections on this Bucs team, but the Buccaneers are 5-1 and are firmly entrenched atop the NFC as the best team in the conference.