With a depleted roster against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerged victorious, 30-19, to improve to 5-1. In the thrilling win which capped off the Bucs' best start to a campaign in team annals, the Bucs' defense tallied six sacks on Mac Jones and two interceptions to spark momentum. Baker Mayfield's scramble from third-and-14 in the third quarter and subsequent touchdown pass to Tez Johnson became the difference in the NFC clash.
Offenisve Overview
Against San Francisco, the Buccaneers produced 352 net yards of offense across 50 offensive plays on Sunday, averaging 7.0 yards per play after averaging 7.3 against the Seahawks in Week Five. Tampa Bay surpassed 100 rushing yards as a team for the fifth time in 2025 – tied with four other teams for the most such occurrences this year. Baker Mayfield put on another clinic, garnering "MVP" chants inside Raymond James Stadium. He completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9%) for 256 yards and two touchdown passes compared to zero interceptions for a 139.0 passer rating. Over the last two weeks, Mayfield has completed 82.1% of his passes – the highest mark among any quarterback that has played in both games over the previous two-game stretch.
Mayfield recorded a 15-yard scramble on a third-and-14 in the third quarter, generating 27 yards after contact as he avoided a sack. Per Next Gen Stats, Mayfield had just a 3.7% chance of picking up the first down on the scramble at the onset of the play. He ducked out of the sack, avoiding three Niners, and willed the Bucs to the first-down marker with physicality and multiple pump-fakes to disorient the defense. After he dove for the first with an outstretched arm, a couple plays later the Bucs were in the end zone. Tez Johnson adjusted his route, running a seam from the slot and as he accelerated downfield, he raised his hand to cue Mayfield. Mayfield pump-faked and once the safety bit and came back, the signal-caller let it rip downfield. Johnson made an incredible grab to give Tampa Bay a 27-19 advantage.
Rachaad White contributed a season-high 86 yards from scrimmage en route to 17 carries for 65 yards with one touchdown and three receptions for 21 yards. With his touchdown run, White surpassed Cadillac Williams (24) for the sixth-most, and tied Errict Rhett for the fifth-most, touchdowns from scrimmage by a running back in franchise history. White ran with outstanding contact balance and high-effort, maneuvering his way for additional yardage on gap runs.
Kameron Johnson, who entered the game with zero career receptions, finished as Tampa Bay's leading receiver, bringing in four catches for 64 receiving yards with one touchdown. Johnson's first career reception came on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield. On the play, Johnson went in motion and came across from left to right, quickly getting vertical at the snap. The 49ers had a busted coverage and Johnson was wide open as the free rusher crashed. Mayfield got the ball off before Upton Stout closed to make it a 20-13 game. In the second quarter, Sean Tucker bounced outside and scored on a nine-yard run. Prior to the touchdown, the Bucs' offensive line flowed to the left with a pulling guard and Mayfield hit Cade Otton underneath sneaking to the right for a 23-yard gain.
Defensive Outlook
Tampa Bay recorded 6.0 sacks on Sunday – its most in a game since Week Four of the 2024 season against Philadelphia (6.0). The Bucs recorded a sack on 15.4% of San Francisco's dropbacks on Sunday, their third-highest total in a game since the start of the 2024 season. Tampa Bay recorded 3.0 sacks in the first quarter – the most in the first quarter of any contest since Week 12 of the 2014 season against Chicago (3.0) by the unit. The Bucs held the 49ers to 67 rushing yards on Sunday – the fewest they have allowed to an opponent this season, and the fewest that the 49ers have produced in a single game this season.
Yaya Diaby spearheaded the attack with 2.0 sacks, posting his second career game with multiple sacks. Jamel Dean recorded his first career sack in Sunday's contest on a corner blitz, dropping Mac Jones for an eight-yard loss. Dean also intercepted Jones later in the game to record his second interception of the year, which ties for his most in a single season in his career.
Kindle Vildor recorded his first interception as a member of the Bucs, picking off Mac Jones in the first quarter. It represented his second career interception and first since 2022. Vildor's interception gave Tampa Bay the ball on the San Francisco 12-yard line, and the Bucs scored two plays later. On both interception plays; Todd Bowles got the better of the chess game. He made it look like a single-high safety in the post but it was actually Cover Two, with the other safety rolling over and the corner coming down to spark momentum for Tampa Bay.
Vita Vea generated a half sack in the game and Per Next Gen Stats, he accumulated five quarterback pressures while facing double-teams on 69.7% of dropbacks. Despite the double-teams, Vea still generated two pressures and 0.5 sacks when doubled. With Vea on the field, the Bucs allowed only 36 yards on 14 rushes between the tackles (2.6 yards per carry). He played a key role in one of Diaby's sacks, along with Elijah Roberts getting home. On the Roberts sack play, Vea split the double team with an effective swim move and Roberts cleaned it up with the takedown of Jones. On Diaby's, Vea bulldozed Dominick Puni into the ground, collapsing the pocket which allowed Diaby to get home. Lavonte David and Diaby tied for the team lead in tackles for loss and Antoine Winfield Jr. led Tampa Bay with nine tackles.
