Tampa, November 25, 2018 – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers snapped a four game losing streak by defeating the San Fransico 49ers 27-9 at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs move to 4-7 on the season and will host the Carolina Panthers next week. Here are the Bucs and the Niners by the Numbers:
Quarter 1
1 – The fast flowing Bucs defensive blanketed the Niners pass catchers and harassed the visiting quarterback Nick Mullens. Mullens finished the quarter with 1 completion, 6 attempts, throwing for 12 yards.
6 – The number of first downs the Bucs picked up during the 11:00 minutes they possessed the ball. Of their four first quarter possessions, the Bucs also produced 21 plays and limited the Niners to just 11.
9 – Jameis Winston completed 9 of his 11 first quarter passes looking very relaxed and confident in the pocket. Winston completed passes to 7 different receivers. Mike Evans led the way with 2 catches for 55 yards.
Earlier this week Head Coach Dirk Koetter on how quarterback Jameis Winston practiced this week…“Yeah good. He did a good job – really good.”
60 – The home team was 60% on third down conversions. Keeping the chains moving while producing 121 net yards, 93 of those yards through the air.
100 – Struggling to produce red zone points this season (57.5%) the Bucs struck on their first attempt with 8:27 remaining in the quarter Winston hit Cameron Brate across the end zone for a 6 yard TD giving the Bucs an early 7-0 lead after the made extra point.
First Half
0 – The Bucs defense punished the Niners on third down. The Niners converted on zero third downs in the first half. 0 for 4 in 11:33 total time of possession.
8 – 49ers RB, Local product Matt Breida from Nature Coast Tech was a beast. Averaged 8 yards per carry in the first half. Broke off runs for 9, 11, 15 and 21 yards.
40 – Niners QB Nick Mullens completed just 40% of his passes in the first half. TE George Kittle was targeted 6 times, catching 2 passes for 23 yards.
18.8 – Mike Evans caught 4 passes for 75 yards. Averaging 18.8 yards per catch. In the 2016 game versus the Niners, Evans was targeted 13 times for 8 receptions, 96 yards and 2 TDs.
Earlier this week Head Coach Dirk Koetter on wide receiver Mike Evans’ performance this season…“The best thing that Mike is doing more than the whole time that I have been here is he runs every route to win, whether he’s the primary or not. He’s really increased his stamina level and I always look at the play thing at the end of the game – the percentage – and Mike’s playing over 85 percent of the plays which to run that many routes full speed – especially because we’re not running very many short routes – that’s impressive.”
Quarter 3
0 – Coming into this game this Fitzpatrick and Winston totaled 23 interceptions and the team fumbled the ball 17 times. 3 Quarters into the 49ers game, Winston had a grand total of 0 interceptions thrown and the team had just as many fumbles lost.
7 – Getting speedster DeSean Jackson involved in the game plan early and often was priority. Winston targeted Jackson 7 times in the first 3 quarters. Same number as Winston’s favorite Target Mike Evans. Jackson: 3 catches for 19 yards.
12 – The Bucs made an effort to produce better numbers on the ground today. Often, the easy choice was to put the ball in the hands of the trusty wide receivers to move the chains. Of the 21 first downs acquired through the first 3 quarters, 12 of those first downs were produced by Winston’s decision making and arm.
48.3 – Bryan Anger helped change field position for the home team when the Bucs were behind the downs. 3 punts for an average of 48.3 yards.
Earlier this week Head Coach Dirk Koetter on if running the ball more helps with limiting throwing turnovers…“Yeah I think that’s one thing people tend to ignore is how much you’re playing with the lead and how much you’re playing from behind. Not only playing from behind, but playing two scores behind. That definitely changes the way you approach things. I think the teams that are at the top of the league in running the football are usually teams that either A: have a very strong defense or B: are playing with the lead most of the time.”
Final
2 – The Bucs produced two interceptions in the second half today versus the Niners. Defensive Backs Isaiah Johnson and Ryan Smith stole drives away from the visiting team.
4 – Four sacks by four different Buccaneers. The pressure the defensive front applied made life hectic for the 49ers QB Nick Mullens. McCoy, Nassib, Vita Vea and Pierre-Paul all kicked the door in at the sack party.
9 – The number of points allowed by the Bucs defense today. The lowest total of the year. Coming into the game the Bucs gave up a total of 329 points (32.9/g), the worst in the NFL
108 – The number of rushing yards for the Bucs today. RB Peyton Barber carried the ball 18 times for 47 yards and 1 TD.
Earlier this week Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken on if running back Peyton Barber is getting better at creating explosive plays…“I don’t know if getting better is probably the word. I think he’s always had that knack. We saw it last year when we were trying to get the run game going. Peyton has a way of turning five-yard-runs into seven or eight-yard runs, two-yard runs into – he just has that. He’s a powerful explosive – you rarely see him run out-of-bounds. I think he’s been given more opportunities.”
LOCAL FLAVOR
Nature Coast Tech Alum Matt Breida retuned to the Bay Area with a bang. 17 touches, 140 all purpose yards, averaged 8.2 yards per touch versus the Bucs. 106 rushing yards, 7.6 yards per carry.
Earlier this week Bucs Defensive Coordinator Mark Duffner on what stands out about 49ers running back Matt Breida…“Everything. This guy is quick. He’s got excellent change of direction. He can stop on a dime like people say and cut and get vertical on you. He can cut back. I mean this guy has got really good skills athletically and I think he sees holes pretty well. He’s got a good receiving capability as far as him out of the backfield, so this guy’s a real threat for them. Right now, he’s in the top 10 as far as what his production has been in the league. I’m very impressed with the guy.”