The 49ers are the most injured team in football…followed by the Buccaneers. Both teams achieved their 4 and 1 records by winning four one score games by five points or less.  Injured or not, both squads are evenly matched. The difference in this game was the line of scrimmage and the loss of a superstar.
Early in the game it was evident that Tampa’s defensive line was a problem. Vita Vea defeated a Jake Brendal/Dominic Puni double team to sack Mac Jones and force a field goal during the 49ers first drive. Tampa’s defensive line dominated today. They dominated right down to the closing minutes securing their sixth sack of the day. Further, they stoned the 49ers rush holding them to a mere 67 yards rushing.
The 49ers defensive line played poorly according to the stat line. However, they too were consistently in the backfield. The difference is Baker Mayfield is very elusive. Late in the third quarter, the Niners had Baker sacked on a 3rd and 14., yet he squirmed his way out of the play and ran through several tackles on the way to a first down. A play later, he throws a touchdown on a busted offensive play. Baker is playing on an MVP level and we saw it on display today.
Losing Fred Warner hurt. He is the leader of the 49ers defense. The Niners struggled to adjust, and right fully so. Fred calls the plays, sets the coverages and shifts the defense during offensive audibles. They played on gamely, but Mayfield smelled blood in the water and took advantage.
Mac Jones played as well as he could under the circumstances. Jones went out on the field with a strained oblique, and bum knee, and still managed to throw for 347 yards. He also threw two untimely interceptions. The first interception was the result of Kendrick Bourne cutting his route off early. The second interception was a great play by the defense.
Kendrick Bourne made two critical mistakes today. Yet he led the team in receptions securing five receptions for 142 yards. His connection with Mac Jones has kept the 49ers viable over the last three weeks.
Eddie Pinero continues to be a bright spot as he nailed kicks from 59, 52, 49 and 23 yards today.
Weeks ago, the Niners defense suffered with the loss of Nick Bosa. Losing Fred Warner feels catastrophic. Warner is the quarterback of the defense. He is an irreplaceable all pro. It will be interesting to see where the 49ers go from here.
Offensively, the 49ers will get a breath of fresh air when George Kittle comes back. Hopefully Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall will return soon as well. However, it remains to be seen if those additions will be enough to overcome the offensive lines deficiencies. The front office will have to weigh whether or not they wish to bolster the defense thru the trade market. If they do, they believe they have a chance to reach the Super Bowl. Either way, all we can do is sit back and watch.
