The San Francisco 49ers opened the season with a 31-17 road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This offseason, the organization set out to change the narrative surrounding its defense who recorded a league-low seven takeaways in 2018. The 49ers saw early returns on Sunday in a performance dominated by San Francisco's defense. Take a look at notes and stats from the 49ers Week 1 win in Tampa Bay.
Team Notes
- The 49ers improved to 18-7 overall against the Buccaneers, including a 6-4 record on the road.
- San Francisco begins the season 1-0 for the seventh time in nine seasons.
- The 49ers open the season with a road victory for the first time since 2014 [W, 28-17 at Dallas Cowboys (9/7/14)].
Defensive Notes
- San Francisco allowed 295 total yards against the Buccaneers (198 passing, 121 rushing)
- The 49ers defense was responsible for 15 of 31 of San Francisco's points scored on Sunday.
- The defense registered three sacks against Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, compared to Tampa Bay's one.
- The 49ers intercepted Winston three times on the day, including two returned for touchdowns.
- It marked the first time since Nov. 2012 against the New Orleans Saints that the 49ers registered two pick-sixes in the same game.
- The 49ers beat their 2018 season total of two interceptions in their Week 1 contest.
- San Francisco allowed the Buccaneers to score on only one of their four red zone trips.
- The 49ers defense registered four takeaways on the day (three interceptions and one fumble recovery), marking the first time since Week 10 2016, against the Arizona Cardinals (four takeaways) to have four or more takeaways in a game.
- San Francisco's three interceptions on the day were the most by the team in a single game since Week 16 2017, against the Jacksonville Jaguars (three interceptions).
- When under pressure, the 49ers limited Winston to 4-12 passes for 37 yards and two interceptions for a passer rating of 3.1.
Individual Notes
- The second-year linebacker forced a fumble on Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard, which was recovered by Ronald Blair III. Warner picked up the second forced fumble of his career, with Blair III registering his first-career fumble recovery.
- This marks the second time the team has had two or more forced fumbles in the first half of a game since Week 17 2017, at Los Angeles Rams (two).
Dee Ford
- Ford stripped Winston on a 6-yard sack, marking his first forced fumble and sack as a member of the 49ers. He now has 10 forced fumbles and 32.5 sacks for his career.
- Dating back to 2018, Ford has registered eight forced fumbles the most in the NFL over that span.
Most Forced Fumbles Since 2018
| Team | Player | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|
| SF | Dee Ford | 8 |
| HOU | J.J. Watt | 7 |
| CHI | Khalil Mack | 6 |
| PIT | T.J. Watt | 6 |
| IND | Justin Houston | 5 |
Richard Sherman
- Sherman intercepted Winston, returning the pass 31 yards for a touchdown. Sherman's interception returned for a touchdown was his first since Sept. 2013 against the Houston Texans as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
- Sherman now has 33 career interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns.
Ahkello Witherspoon
- Witherspoon registered a 25-yard interception returned for a touchdown, the third pick of his career and first career touchdown.
Mark Nzeocha
- Nzeocha registered his first career interception.
- Making his NFL debut, Bosa registered a 9-yard sack on Winston, the first of his career.
- Armstead registered 1.0 sack for 5 yards, the 10th of his career and first since Oct. 2018 at Arizona.
Jimmy Garoppolo
- The 49ers have averaged 26.1 points per game when Garoppolo plays since 2017 (7-2 win-loss).
- Garoppolo improves to 5-2 career on the road (8 touchdowns, 8 interceptions).
- Garoppolo has the best win percentage of any quarterback with 10 or more starts since 2016.
Highest Winning Percentage as a Starter Since 2016 (min. 10 starts)
| Team | Name | W-L | Win Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF | Jimmy Garoppolo | 9-2 | .818 |
| NE | Tom Brady | 36-9 | .800 |
| KC | Patrick Mahomes | 14-4 | .777 |
| JAX | Nick Foles | 7-3 | .700 |
| PIT | Ben Roethlisberger | 31-14-1 | .673 |
| DAL | Dak Prescott | 33-16 | .673 |
Raheem Mostert
- Mostert led the 49ers backfield with 40 yards on nine carries.
- 38 of his 40 rushing yards came after contact.
Richie James Jr.
- James Jr. registered his second career touchdown on a 39-yard pass from Garoppolo. The touchdown reception marked the first for James Jr. since registering a 9-yard touchdown from Nick Mullens in Week 17 2018, against the Rams.
- San Francisco's tight end recorded eight receptions for 54 yards (10 targets).
- Kittle led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards.
- Kittle had just four games with fewer than 55 receiving yards in 2018.
