Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers grades and analysis following Week 1 win over Buccaneers

By Akshaj Dwivedula

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Matt Breida #22 in the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Matt Breida #22 in the second quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Mark Nzeocha #53 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: Mark Nzeocha #53 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

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.