This week the San Francisco 49ers moved up to a 7-3 record with a crucial win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In addition to the 49ers’ win, the Seattle Seahawks lost this week, which keeps the 49ers in first place in the NFC West, as the two teams will face each other this Thanksgiving. Here is a look at the top players in the game, and who will need to step up this week.
San Francisco 49ers Slays
Second-year quarterback Brock Purdy had a strong game for the San Francisco 49ers. He completed 21 passes out of 25 attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns, according to ESPN. It is important to remember that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into this game had the second-highest blitz rate in the league. Purdy was sacked just four times and did well throwing under pressure. The offense definitely struggled towards the end, but Purdy had a great game.
Something notable from the game this week is a new statistic that Purdy earned. Due to how he played in this matchup, Purdy is now the first franchise quarterback with a perfect passer rating since Joe Montana in 1989. He is also the first to do it with over 20 passing attempts. This was a big game for Purdy, and a nice moment knowing his first career start was last season against the Buccaneers.
What also needs to be highlighted is how Brandon Aiyuk played this week. Purdy had a great game, but that does not mean that the receiver should not be highlighted here. Aiyuk had five receptions for 156 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown went for 76 yards. Purdy and Aiyuk officially connected for the longest passing touchdown of the season in the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (11) – Austin Ginn/San Francisco 49ers
Linebacker Fred Warner was a force on the defense. He was all over the field, just as he always is. In this game, Warner ended up with 12 total tackles, ten solo, and 0.5 sacks, according to ESPN. He also had two big pass deflections which really helped the team get the win. One of them could have been an interception, but he did force a fumble which was a crucial turnover. Warner continues to be the heart of this defense.
Towards the end of the game, the Buccaneers offense started to get a rhythm going. They were moving downfield, having strong plays on third down. Warner was visibly out of breath but continued to chase the ball wherever it went. He is a major reason that the 49ers have seven wins this season. The 49ers have just been faced with a serious injury on defense, but it can be trusted that Warner, as a leader on this team, will make sure the rookie, Ji’Ayir Brown is confident out there.
San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner (54) and Nick Bosa (97) – Austin Ginn/San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers Bombs
It was a rough game for cornerback Charvarius Ward. He finally did well with avoiding penalties, but towards the end, he gave the Bucs too many receptions. Wide receiver Mike Evans went from having no receptions to five clutch plays, with Ward in coverage. Ward did have to exit the game in the fourth quarter but returned. Hopefully, he will be healthy next week. He did have some key pass breakups, and credit goes there. He will still definitely need to improve ahead of next week’s game.
San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner (54) and S Ji’Ayir Brown (27) – Kym Fortino/San Francisco 49ers
Next up, the San Francisco 49ers will face the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving. It will be a short week for the team, and they will also have to be the team that travels for the matchup. Hopefully, aside from the injury to Talanoa Hufanga, the team is healthy heading into a big NFC West matchup.
