The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the field against the San Francisco 49ers in week six. This battle of the bays was between two 4-1 teams, both navigating a fair share of injuries and both sporting quarterbacks
who have been on hot streaks. Sunday’s game began with Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield on offense.
First Quarter:
Tampa’s offense was first to touch the ball and also first to punt the ball away. The Buccaneers’ defense decided they’d be the unit to strike first when Kindle Vildor, filling in for the many injured Buccaneer corners, step forward and hauled in a Mac Jones pass for an interception. Vildor proceeded to take what appeared to be a clear pick six and leave it as just an interception, as he fell to the ground (uncontacted) multiple times. Three slips that could have been a four-point swing, instead led to a Rachaad White touchdown run. 7-0, Bucs.
Following a field goal on the 49ers’ second drive, Tampa Bay’s offense hopped back into action. Their hop meant Riley Dixon would get another chance to hop as well— Three drives and two punts for the Bucs’ offense.
Second Quarter:
Still trailing by four the 49ers began quarter number two with a second down and long following a recovered strip sack by Jamel Dean. Long yardage proved to be no issue for Mac Jones a catch-and-run first down to Kendrick Bourne and then a Christian McCaffrey touchdown shortly after to transition the Buccaneers’ lead into a deficit. 10-7, 49ers.
With little to nothing to show for their offensive drives to this point, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense took the field and finally took off. Their seven points prior, came off of excellent field position gifted to them by Kindle Vildor. Otherwise their drives had all been concluded with Riley Dixon, rather than Chase McLaughlin. Mid-way through the second quarter, Baker Mayfield finally put up some Riley Dixon-opposition taking Tampa Bay down the field for their first long scoring drive of the afternoon. Sean Tucker’s first touchdown of the season capped the possession off and returned the lead to Tampa Bay. 14-10, Bucs.
San Francisco added another three points to the scoreboard before Mayfield’s bunch saw the field again. A Rachaad White rush and reception rapidly got Tampa Bay across midfield and Baker Mayfield got the Buccaneers into the end zone. Not sure if anyone had Mayfield to Johnson on their Bingo card but it was the infallible duo of Baker Mayfield and Kam Johnson that waltzed Tampa’s offense into the end zone for their third touchdown of the half. A failed two-point conversion would leave the Buccaneers at 20—20-13, Tampa Bay.
With under a minute and three timeouts, Mac Jones and Demarcus Robinson migrated the 49ers’ offense back into Tampa Bay territory to add a last-second field goal.
Third Quarter:
The San Francisco 49ers started the game’s second half with the ball and another gashing drive. Kyle Shanahan versus Todd Bowles has served up body blows on both sides, but the 49ers’ opening drive of the third quarter was workman like. Taking bits, pieces, and chunks at will. Moving without any resistance, until an offensive pass interference penalty sputtered the drive into a second down and 20, ultimately stalling San Francisco into another short field goal. 20-19, Bucs.
Tampa Bay’s next drive revealed yet another wide receiver injury. As if the position couldn’t be any more ravaged, Emeka Egbuka —one of the brightest bright spots the Buccaneers have had in 2025— showed up as doubtful with a hamstring injury. No Evans, no Godwin, no Egbuka, never a doubt. Tampa was saddled with a third down and 15 and Baker Mayfield put on his cape. Mayfield, trapped in the pocket by two defenders, broke free of contain, broke another two tackles, ran through a defender, and stretched the ball across the sticks for a first down. If the cape’s on why not have superman moment. Without a receiver most NFL fans could name, Mayfield’s refusal to fail showed itself again. Launching a rocket shot to his other rookie wide out Tez Johnson. Johnson with a textbook example of a diving snag, followed by some gymnastic, and the Bucs took a 27-19 lead.
Fourth Quarter:
Sunday’s final 15 was kicked off with drive-stopping Lavonte David sack of Mac Jones and then a bad kick by Chase McLaughlin— No good, Tampa’s lead remains eight. Taking the good field position of the of McLaughlin’s miss, the 49ers drove the field into field goal range of their own. Opting to bypass that field goal attempt, Kyle Shanahan was resigned to helplessly watching his quarterback toss up his second interception of the game— Jamel Dean’s second of the season.
5:43 on the clock and Baker Mayfield under center— Rest easy Bucs’ fans. Mayfield drove the Buccaneers down the field draining the clock to the two-minute warning and setting up Chase McLaughlin for redemption. The kick was good, as was Tampa’s performance, as will be tomorrow’s victory Monday.
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