TAMPA, Fla. – All four of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wins have come in last-minute, come-from-behind fashion.
The 49ers, this Sunday’s visitors, know all about closing time, too. They’ve emerged with a matching 4-1 record in weekly one-score games, including last Thursday’s overtime escape from Los Angeles.
“If you look at what we just did, we’ve been in a similar situation,” 49ers cornerback Renardo Green said. “I guess it’s going to be survival of the fittest.”
Last year at Raymond James Stadium, the 49ers were the last team standing – or joyously sprinting off the field, having won on a walk-off field goal by Jake Moody.
At about 7:30 p.m. ET in this encore, the sun will have just set here, and Sunday’s outcome surely could be in doubt.
“The NFL is producing a really good product,” 49ers left tackle Trent Williams said. “It’s stressful to play a four-quarter game and it comes down to the last play of the game, but I know fans love it.”
Here are five ways the 49ers can outscore Tampa Bay and improve to 4-0 on the road this season:
1. NO MAYFIELD MAGIC
Baker Mayfield is 0-for-4 in his career against the 49ers, including losses each of the past two seasons. But he is garnering early-season MVP consideration.
“Baker Mayfield is a great player. He’s really emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL,” rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams said. “It’s always exciting when you get a chance to go against somebody like that.”
While Williams has yet to face him, linebacker Fred Warner is a four-time winner vs. Mayfield (2019 Browns, 2022 Panthers, 2023-24 Bucs). “He’s playing the position at the highest level I’ve seen him,” said Warner, pointing to Mayfield’s decisiveness in throwing the ball.
Mayfield has thrown 10 touchdowns and had just one interception, which is one more than the 49ers have intercepted all season; their NFL-record drought is 12 games without a pick going back to last season. “We’re just saying this is the week to go take one,” Green said. “We’re going to have our opps and it’s up to us to capitalize on them.”
A matchup to watch: 49ers sack leader Bryce Huff vs. Bucs right tackle Charlie Heck, who started for the 49ers in last season’s final two games.
2. FRED’S CHESS MATCH
Mayfield is well aware of Warner’s All-Pro capacity as the 49ers’ defensive maestro and the one who must lead Sunday’s upset. “We have to know where (No.) 54 is and not let him ruin the game for us,” Mayfield said.
Warner is five tackles from passing Patrick Willis (949) for the most in 49ers’ history, and Warner 50 tackles this season rank third in the NFL behind Miami’s Jordyn Brooks (57) and Washington’s Bobby Wagner (56).
Mayfield admired the chess match Warner played last game with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, whose visual cues tried to throw off Warner’s tracking sense. Warner has forced two fumbles (recovered one), defended three passes, made two tackles for loss, and was at the epicenter of last Thursday’s game-ending fourth-down stop in Los Angeles.
3. MAXIMIZE McCAFFREY
OK, so Christian McCaffrey is averaging a paltry 3.1 yards per carry (91 for 282 yards), and he hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown in his past nine games dating back to last season’s four-game cameo.
“Obviously last year wasn’t the year I wanted, but I’ve moved on. I’ve been moved on,” McCaffrey said. “I’m excited for this week.”
He’s still the 49ers’ greatest offensive weapon, as evident by his team-leading 39 receptions for 387 yards and three scores. “I haven’t seen anybody stop him. You hope to slow him down,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Friday. “If you can limit the yards after the catch, those are the big things for him. He’s very tough to bring down in the open field.”
With Milpitas native Vita Vea anchoring the Bucs’ defensive front, opponents are averaging 92.4 rushing yards per carry, although it yielded a season-high 122 to Seattle last Sunday. The Bucs have yielded four rushing touchdowns (one in 4-of-5 games).
McCaffrey, a NFC South rival when in Carolina from 2017-22, remains on the lookout for 14th-year linebacker Lavonte David. Said McCaffrey: “I’m sick of him. No, he’s a hell of a player. He always brings a big challenge and always plays the game the right way. And he never gets enough credit.”
4. WING AND A PRAYER
Mac Jones is looking to go 4-0 as the 49ers’ fill-in starter for Brock Purdy. Jones was too achy to throw in Thursday’s practice as he deals with oblique and knee injuries, plus a sore throwing arm last game. Dual-threat option Adrian Martinez, last year’s UFL MVP, is one play away from the 49ers’ quarterback throne.
Jones’ mobility has never been his top asset, his fourth-and-1 conversions notwithstanding. He should still find success airing it out against a Bucs defense low on cornerbacks. Zyon McCollum (thumb), Jamel Dean (hip) and Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) are wounded. But who would they even defend?
Jauan Jennings is poised to return from a Sept. 28 rib injury, but Ricky Pearsall will miss his second straight game with a right knee injury. Kendrick Bourne is coming off a 10-catch blockbuster as he rekindled his Patriots past with Jones.
5. BLANKET EGBUKA
Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka is the first player in NFL history with at least 25 receptions, 400 yards (445) and five touchdown catches through five career games.
“He’s powerful for such a young man,” 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “He has powerful hands and obviously he’s playing with a lot of confidence.”
Out for the Bucs are wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula), as well as running back Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot). That’s why they’re wisely leaning on Egbuka, although No. 2 back Rachaad White is also a danger.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir says his preparation isn’t focused so much on potential pass catchers. “I don’t watch receivers. I study coordinators,” Lenoir said. For the record: Josh Grizzard is thriving (with Mayfield’s help) as the Bucs’ first-year offensive coordinator, following Liam Coen (2024), Dave Canales (2023) and Byron Leftwich (2019-22).