It wasn’t pretty, but the San Francisco 49ers managed to start the season on the right note, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-17. Niner Noise details all the action.
In the NFL, it doesn’t matter how pretty it looks. All that matters at the end of the day is notching a W in the left column. The San Francisco 49ers managed to do that Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning in ugly fashion 31-17 to kick off the 2019 season with a 1-0 record.
The game started off well, with the 49ers defense forcing a 3-and-out before linebacker Mark Nzeocha blocked Buccaneers punter Bradley Pinion‘s punt.
When the offense took the field, though, a penalty wiped away a George Kittle touchdown, so the offense settled for three points.
The 49ers continued to play great defense, marred mostly by the ejection of linebacker Kwon Alexander on a late hit on Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston (more on that later). When Tampa Bay marched down the field, however, the 49ers forced a turnover. But quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball right back to the Bucs, resulting in a pick-six by Tampa Bay cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.
The offenses continued to be inept. The 49ers offense again marched down the field only to again have a touchdown taken off the board by a penalty, resulting in another field goal.
Near the end of the half, Nzeocha intercepted Winston, but a Deebo Samuel fumble made sure the 4e9rs would head into the half down one.
Notice a trend?
The second half started with a 49ers touchdown from Jimmy G to wide receiver Richie James followed with a Richard Sherman pick-six. From there, the Niners offense just maintained, tacking on another field goal, while the Tampa Bay offense also got on the board with a touchdown.
Robbie Gould hit another field goal, the Bucs hit a field goal, and Ahkello Witherspoon iced the game with a pick-six, the fourth forced turnover by the 49ers defense.
There was a lot that went on, and a lot more to discuss. Let’s begin and break down each unit’s grades from Sunday’s victory.