49ers Get Past Buccaneers Despite Special Team Miscues

Liam O'Connor

November 10, 2024

(Levi's Stadium before the 49ers week 8 7 matchup vs the KC Chiefs)

The San Francisco 49ers kicked off the second half of their season with some key players returning to action. Running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and kicker Jake Moody were all back in the lineup for Sunday morning’s matchup, providing a welcome boost following the team’s Bye Week. Their contributions helped lead the 49ers to a 23-20 victory, bringing them above .500 for the first this season since Week 1.

Here are five takeaways from the 49ers’ win over the Buccaneers:

Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t waste any time getting McCaffrey back in the mix, calling his number on the game’s opening play. McCaffrey’s first carry went for five yards, marking the start of a solid game. He finished with 13 carries for 39 yards and added six receptions for 68 yards.

Rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall scored his first career touchdown in his third game back from the Non-Football Injury list. On the 49ers’ second offensive drive, quarterback Brock Purdy found Pearsall on a crossing route at Tampa Bay's 30-yard line. Pearsall took it the rest of the way, diving into the end zone to give San Francisco a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. Pearsall also caught a pass late in the fourth that set up the 49ers game winning field goal. He is starting to become a more important piece of the offense as each game is played.

The 49ers' defense was rock-solid early, holding Tampa Bay to just a single field goal in the first half. Entering Week 10 with a top-ten rushing attack, the Buccaneers had been averaging 127 rushing yards per game. But San Francisco’s defense allowed only 37 rushing yards in the first half. Defensive lineman Maliek Collins notched the lone sack of the half, tackling the Buccaneers' quarterback for a one-yard loss. Nick Bosa also got a key sack on the Bucs second to last drive, that set up the 49ers in good position. The defense also stopped the Bucs on third and goal late in the game, and forced them to take a field goal, which set up the 49ers offense to win the game.

Kicker Jake Moody returned from his high ankle sprain and had three first-half scoring attempts, converting an extra point and a 28-yard field goal. However, he missed his first two second-half field goal attempts before drilling a 44-yard game-winner as time expired, sealing the victory.

Quarterback Brock Purdy was arguably the best player on the team today. Notching 353 yards and 2 tds on the day. With 41 seconds left on the clock, Purdy executed a flawless final drive, completing all four of his passes for 41 yards. His key targets, Jennings and Pearsall, helped the 49ers march into field goal range. Moody’s 44-yard field goal sealed the game, giving San Francisco the win in regulation.

The 49ers will travel home and face a familiar divisional opponent in the Seahawks next Sunday.