The San Francisco 49ers blasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. Their sixth consecutive victory moves the Niners to 9-4 on the season.
Coupled with a Seattle loss to Carolina, San Francisco will clinch the NFC West with a win on Thursday night.
The victory did not come without a price. Kevin Givens left the game early with a knee injury, and Deebo Samuel went out in the second quarter with an ankle injury. The two starters will miss multiple weeks, but the timetable for their return is currently unknown. San Francisco also lost Dontae Johnson to a knee injury, Kerry Hyder has an ankle injury, Brock Purdy suffered an oblique injury and Samuel Womack is in the concussion protocol. All tough blows for a team which must travel to Seattle on a short week.
Here are the answers to the five questions asked before the game.
1.) Can Brock Purdy beat Tom Brady? YES
Brock Purdy was on fire in the first half completing 14 of 18 attempts for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns as San Francisco built a 28-0 lead.
With many expecting a run heavy game plan San Francisco mixed things up by throwing on the first four plays. Facing third and seven, Purdy hit George Kittle over the middle for a gain of 15 to keep the drive going leading to a touchdown.
On the third 49ers possession, Purdy showed off his footwork. Tampa Bay sent a blitz and the rookie quarterback scrambled up the middle for a two-yard touchdown run.
Purdy again showed off his footwork on the first play of the next possession. With a Tampa defender in his face, Purdy slid underneath and fired an 18-yard completion to Deebo Samuel along the right sideline. He would end the possession by beating another Tampa Bay blitz with a perfect deep throw to Christian McCaffrey from 29-yards out.
The fireworks weren’t done.
As the first half wound down, Purdy led the 49ers offense on a 91-yard drive. He finished it off with another deep strike, this time from 32-yards out to Brandon Aiyuk.
In becoming the first quarterback to defeat Tom Brady in his first career start, Purdy completed 16 of 21 attempts for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
2.) Will the 49ers defense ruin homecoming for Tom Brady? YES
The San Francisco defense made Tom Brady look old and slow throughout the game. Brady averaged only 4.6 yards per attempt, completing 34 of 55 attempts for 253 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
After struggling to move the ball throughout the first half, Brady and the Buccaneers offense finally mounted a drive on their final possession. With the ball at the 49ers eight, Brady missed Chris Godwin with a third down pass before throwing incomplete to Mike Evans on fourth and two. San Francisco safety Jimmie Ward had tight coverage on both plays.
Brady threw a pair of interceptions on the first two Tampa Bay possession of the second half.
On the third play after the halftime break Brady tried to hit Mike Evans over the middle. The pass sailed high and 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson made a leaping grab for his second interception of the season.
Brady made another mistake on the following possession. After moving the ball to the 49ers 33, Brady tried again to hit Mike Evans. San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw got his hand up and deflected the pass to himself for Brady’s second interception.
A few plays before the interception Brady had Scotty Miller open deep down the right sideline for what should have been a touchdown. The veteran underthrew the pass and it hit 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir on his left shoulder as he tried to catch up.
3.) Can the 49ers take advantage of Tampa Bay on the ground? YES
The 49ers ran over and through the Tampa Bay defense gaining 206 yards and averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.
Christian McCaffrey led the way with 119 yards on 14 carries. The starting running back had a number of explosive runs, including a 38-yard burst for San Francisco’s final score of the game. McCaffrey also had several other big runs throughout the game. His first carry was a 21 yard blast up the middle and he had consecutive 13-yard gains on San Francisco’s second touchdown drive.
Deebo Samuel ended the 49ers first possession with a 13-yard scamper around the right side for a touchdown. The wide receiver went down with a severe ankle injury late in the first half on a run up the middle.
Jordan Mason was given the most opportunities of his young career and made the most of them. Mason finished with 56 yards on 11 carries and a long of 18 yards. He continues to earn the trust of Kyle Shanahan each week.
4.) Will Nick Bosa play? YES
Despite not practicing all week Nick Bosa was on the field and made the start. He made his presence felt on the opening Tampa Bay possession. On third and nine he got around the edge and looked to have a sack, but Brady was able to get the ball out of his hand before going down.
Despite not registering a sack, the 49ers defense was able to hit Brady seven times. Kerry Hyder Jr. led the team with two hits on Brady. In addition to Bosa, Jimmie Ward, Samson Ebukam, Arik Armstead, and Jordan Willis got to the Buccaneers quarterback.
5.) Who wins the turnover battle? San Francisco
The 49ers forced three Tampa Bay turnovers and lost only one, but this game was over long before any of those occurred.
Coming into this game the only team to score more than 27 points against Tampa Bay was Kansas City. San Francisco had 28 at halftime. That should put into perspective how dominant this performance was from the 49ers offense.
Prediction:
49ers 13 Buccaneers 16
Was this the game where the old GOAT introduced the new GOAT?
Another step toward the playoffs.
Go 9ers.
Things Purdy did today:
-run and throw accurately
-run for a TD
-avoid a sack
-throw deep for a TD or two
-throw tight
– check down his options
Purdy impressive for a first NFL game against agreat D and QB team!
We will see if he can maintain this high level.
Today was fun!
Magical. Simply magical.
Purdy did more than I expected from him. He took some big shots and never lost his focus and more importantly, he was able to get the ball to his receivers sans the arm strength that some were critical of.
But having given Purdy his kudos, this win had much to do with the defense. I love the scoring outburst by the offense, but all they really had to do was put 10 points on the board to win. The 49ers have a Super Bowl ready defense and I can’t wait to play the likes of the eagles, cowboys, vikings or whoever in the playoffs.
You left out the Chiefs and Mahomes. That secondary starting with Lenoir and Hufanga is still suspect. A Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurt would have shredded it today.
That is highly questionable. KC beat the 49ers when they were going through a bad stretch. The current 49ers are a much different and better team today. Eagles have not faced the #1 defense is the league, I wouldn’t forfeit a game to
them at all. The Bills luster has dimmed a little while the 49ers are ascending.
Yeah, I’ll gladly put the 49ers up against any of these teams.
“49ERS Hall Of Fame WR JERRY RICE, among many to call out HC Kyle Shanahan after yet another unnecessary KEY injury!”
Kyle Shanahan Grades-
Game Plan: A+
Common Sense: F-
Press Conference: F
Deebo’s skill set is running and he is very violent. If he didn’t have that skill he wouldn’t be an NFL player. He’s not a great pass catcher but is a great runner. Your comment makes absolutely no sense, he could be injured running after the catch on a pass play.
+1
Football players get hurt. Injuries are sadly the bad side of the game and they’re going to happen.
That’s why teams have a 53 man roster.
Next man up.
being a “violent” runner as a receiver doesn’t mean that Deebo is Jerome Bettis. Deebo is best used as a “violent” runner in open space. It’s one thing to bang against DBs and quite another to bang against linebackers and defensive tackles.
Jerry claimed Kyle was running Deebo ‘up the middle’, when that is not true…Deebo changed direction on that play, which was designed to go outside, and ran into the heart of the Bucs defense..running Deebo is not only a big part of the 9ers offense, but it’s a big part of Deebo’s game..it’s what makes Deebo the dynamic player and weapon he is…
Felix, Don’t take my word for it, take Jerry Rice’s word for it! Are you under the delusion that you know know more about NFL football than Jerry Rice? Trust me when I tell you, you don’t. Jerry Rice has forgot more about NFL football than you’ve ever known!
The 49ERS continue to win battles, but lose the war of attrition. Why? Their HC doesn’t have enough common sense to protect his players when at all possible, that’s why! This is why the 49ers will continue to be the most talented team not to win a Super Bowl, and that truly breaks my heart!
Are you under the delusion that you know more than Shanahan and Deebo?
Jerry Rice is right. Shanahan, when will you ever wise up? You continue to send our star, key players up the middle into a meat grinder, just like those French generals did to their troops in World War I. How many more will you lose to injuries before you lose the war and stop these silly, ill-conceived plays?
Kyle, please stop running our skill players up the middle (between the tackles) @Trey.lance @JimmyGaroppolo10 and now @19problems, all hurt!!
Sincerely, Jerry Rice
Kyle, please stop running @CMC_22 (Christian McCaffrey) into the ground, he’s not 23 years old anymore!!
Sincerely, Me
BTW, Kyle appears to have backed into a potential franchise QB in Brock Purdy, but don’t underestimate Kyle’s ability to still screw this thing up (his QB position), because it’s what Kyle does best!
That said, Brock does look like he just might be the real deal, but keep in mind that it took NOT 1, BUT 2 season ending injuries for Kyle to get to this point.
These aren’t opinions, these are facts!
If we don’t want the 49ers star players not to get injured, don’t play them. It’s that simple for me.
I have to confirm this, but I read a report that the highest injury ratio per position is along the offensive line. If true, it only validates the fact that injuries can’t be avoided whether you carry the ball or not.
I know that this will not be popular with most, but if Jerry was so astute about the game he would have been a head coach.
Right now his opinion is just that, an opinion.
AES, let me explain something to you:
RB’s make a lot LESS money than WR because their careers last a fraction as long as WR’s! The 49ers had to lean on Deebo as a RB last season because they were absolutely desperate. If you remember – Jeff Wilson was hurt before the season. Raheem Mostert was lost for the season in week 1. And Elijah Mitchell couldn’t stay on the field, just like this season. But here’s the difference – were getting to the stretch drive, and Christian McCaffrey is RB1, while Jordan Mason SHOULD BE RB2! If Kyle wants to jeopardize Deebo, due it the redzone, where he’s incredibly effective. But NOT up the gut of the defense (between the Tackles), when you are already up 21 POINTS, and with the ball at MIDFIELD!
Don’t you get that, AES? I feel like this is the Trey Lance argument all over again! A great HC has to be SMART about how his uses his STAR players, for crying out loud. I love getting Deebo the football in-space, and in the redzone, but I HATE running DEEBO between the tackles, midfield, up 21 points, when RB2 – 235 lbs, Jordan Mason, is ITCHING FOR CARRIES!
Come on man!
No offense AES, but this shouldn’t even be up for debate right now. Deebo Samuel is far too valuable, and far too expensive, to be used as a between-the-Tackles RB, near midfield, up 21 points. That’s not the way you maximize your talent. Have you seen JORDAN MASON run the football? This kid is a PUNISHING 235 lbs RB who has been running the football between the tackles since his high school days! It’s the same principle as Trey Lance. The 49ers shouldn’t have traded away the FARM for a QB who can only be effective if he’s running the football between the Tackles. It’s ridiculous really!
But this use of Deebo is just as bad, probably worse IMO, because Kyle has a RB he drafted in the THIRD ROUND who isn’t even playing (Ty Davis-Price)! Not only that, he has a veteran – TEVIN COLEMAN on the ACTIVE ROSTER! Tevin Coleman is no longer in his prime, but he is one of the toughest RB’s I have ever seen. Why would you pay Deebo like a franchise WR, but run him right up the gut of the defense at midfield, up 21 points, when you have a Stallion of a 235 lb RB (UFDA J. Mason) , who is averaging 6.0 YPC this year, is itching for carries, and has been running the football since he was a kid, at a fraction of the risk? It would one thing is it was a tight game, maybe a playoff game, late in the 4th QT, but that’s not the case. There was ZERO reason today for Kyle to use Deebo in such a RISKY manor! The 49ers aren’t paying Deebo a fortune for that scenario, and that’s the whole point JERRY RICE was making!.
No offense, but perhaps you haven’t noticed that part of what makes Deebo valuable is his ability to run out of the backfield. And even a negative person like you has to admit that Deebo has found success at that position.
Some people forget that being a RB is what Deebo did in college.
I’m thankful that Shanahan noticed Deebo’s college RB ability and had a vision to use him in his offensive scheme. It’s worked quite well.
Here’s something that needs no explanation. There is nothing that Shanahan will ever do to please you.
Yah yah, I know … Kyle does something incredibly stupid – gets one of his star players needlessly hurt, and the GOAT – Jerry Rice, isn’t allowed to criticize him, right?
Here’s something that really needs no explanation, but I am going to give you one anyways …
AES, you are a FANATIC!
fa·nat·ic – noun – Fanatic; a person exhibiting excessive enthusiasm and intense uncritical devotion toward some controversial matter (as in religion or politics) ; a “religious fanatic” [=extremist] Example: “The fanatics are convinced they are serving a righteous cause and that all means are justified” …
Sound familiar?
Is Shanahan the stupid one or is it you? With Shanahan’s success, I’m pretty sure it’s you.
Was about to come back to this blog after a lengthy absence & reluctantly concede to the group that my disgust with Shanahan and belief he will never win a Super Bowl for the 49ers might have been misguided, misplaced.
Then Deebo went down.
Such a boneheaded, senseless injury that should never have happened, especially after Trey Lance was lost for the season in pretty much the same way.
The Niners have led the league in injuries since Shanahan took over, and it’s taken a gigantic toll on our players and playoff chances. Sorry to Felix and the other Shanahan apologists here, but this guy has no business leading an NFL team.
neg·a·tiv·ism
/ˈneɡədəˌviz(ə)m/
Learn to pronounce
noun
the practice of being or tendency to be negative or skeptical in attitude while failing to offer positive suggestions or views.
“the research found a high level of negativism and cynicism among working people”
Does this sound familiar, Jax?
Does recently getting kicked off another 49ers Blog sound familiar?
Shanahan just mapped out the perfect scheme for his 3rd string QB to beat a team with the best QB of all time or as the GOAT said “we got our arse kicked” and all you do is find blame after a great win.
Well, if the most negative crybaby on this blog calls me a fanatic, I’m glad to wear that badge.
Read the comments to see some positive stuff and get hype over this niners victory…and I see people blaming Kyle Shanahan for Deebo’s injury??? LMAO, you people serious? lol.
Shannahan has no common sense. Mason should have taken 2-3 of the carries in the first half. Should not be running deebo up the middle in a lopsided game. Prob should have taken purdy out when game was in hand as well. I know he needs reps but when you have no one after him on depth chart, except for guys working at costco who used to play football back in the day at qb- need to be smarter.
Kurtenbach: “Brock Purdy is the QB whom Kyle Shanahan, and the 49ers, never wanted to use. He might just be the QB they needed!”
An idiot quoting an idiot. If he never thought to use Purdy why did he keep him over the other QB the team had given a fat contract to?
Hammer keep your eye on this clown, he has a history of using other posters handles when posting, leading to suspensions and banning from other sites.
This guy loves to quote people because he can’t win an intellectual argument. He either finds someone who agrees with him or he uses verbal diarrhea in an attempt to convince.
Another question answered: Grant Cohn’s hatred of Jimmy G. has gone deep beyond personal. In his game grades (on S.I.), he again, viciously attacked Jimmy G, although this game was about Brock Purdy. Surprisingly, he no longer dares calling Kinlaw a burst.
He toned down his childish journalism a little bit after receiving protests from the 49ers players, and was disgraced by national media such as Mike Florio. But the boy went on rampage again. Kid is still kid!
I agree…..I’ve said numerous times, on different threads, that there is a visceral hatred in Cohn for Jimmy Garoppolo..it goes far beyond the sustained injuries, interceptions and perceived notion that JG has cost the team a SB win, and a second SB appearance last year…my inclination is that Cohn and Garoppolo had a run in away from the 9er facility….Grant suffers from JGDS..Jimmy Garoppolo Derangement Syndrome
Some things never change and never will. GC has a pattern of this
I’m shocked that anyone is still willing to pay this guy to be a “journalist”.
Was about to come back to this blog after a lengthy absence & reluctantly concede to the group that my disgust with Shanahan and belief he will never win a Super Bowl for the 49ers might have been misguided, misplaced.
Then Deebo went down.
Such a boneheaded, senseless injury that should never have happened, especially after Trey Lance was lost for the season in pretty much the same way.
The Niners have led the league in injuries since Shanahan took over, and it’s taken a gigantic toll on our players and playoff chances. Sorry to Felix and the other Shanahan apologists here, but this guy has no business leading an NFL team.
If Shanahan was available, many teams would be lined up with draft picks for him but go ahead and keep on being delusional.
Wow I have never heard so much hateful negativity after a 49er win. There are some very unhappy people on this blog. Many of you belong on G. Cohn’s blog that is where hate goes to grow. Purdy was great yesterday but i’m still not ready to crown him. I’m waiting a few more games. Many here are proclaiming his arm strength but his TD pass to Aiyuk was a very weak throw. It looked like Aiyuk was catching a punt, Purdy was lucky that Aiyuk was open by about 7 yards. Other than arm strength he was excellent yesterday. I hope he continues to improve. The 9ers O line had their best game of the year now they need to show some consistency. They should beat Sea. easily this week but its Sea. at home, a short week after an injury laden game and who knows what the weather will be like.
Purdy is getting an MRI on his oblique today. Can KS win with his 4th QB of the year? Josh Johnson, next man up. This injury worries me, I have seen a number of baseball players miss a lot of time with oblique pulls especially pitchers. Oh Brock we hardly knew ye.
Coach,
We should know the full extent of Purdy’s and Deebo’s injuries by this afternoon.
On Purdy, Shanahan noted that Purdy likely was injured on the 49ers second drive of the game. If this is the case it might suggest that Purdy’s injury may not be serious since he played until late in the 4th QTR.
Fingers crossed.
Donte Johnson out for the year with an ACL. He didn’t last long. Must be Shanahan’s fault.
Felix,
Haha! Yup, let’s blame Shanahan for this one as well – sheesh.
Question; do you think that the 49ers should take a look at OBJ now with Deebo out?
At 1.3Mil, I wouldn’t mind giving him a shot. But, of course he has to pass a physical.
Personally I’d be reluctant because I’m not sure how he fits in this locker room
.
He did fine in the Rams locker room, so I think that concern is not really valid. If OBJ is still serious about playing he will not sully a locker room at this point in his career.
It looks like the cboys just passed on OBJ as they signed T.Y Hilton.
My concern regarding OBJ, is that he recently said that he feels he doesn’t need to play regular season games. If he was serious with that comment, the 49ers should pass on him as well.
You don’t think that attitude would be a problem in the locker room?
Not if he wants the chance to go deep into the playoffs. I doubt he wants to sign with the G-men now that they are descending.