Buccaneers' Defense Allows 49ers' Quarterback Brock Purdy to Make NFL History
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense struggled mightily two weeks ago to stop rookie QB C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. Just last week head coach Todd Bowles' defense looked to have turned things around as they didn't allow the Tennessee Titans to score a single touchdown.
However, on Sunday vs. the San Francisco 49ers, the ugly monster once again reared its' head as the Buccaneers' defense fell to a much more potent offensive team.
After a tough stretch that included three losses, 49ers' quarterback Brock Purdy also threw five interceptions and things seemed to be on a decline for San Fran. Following a week off, San Francisco and Brock Purdy were able to get back on track blowing out a pretty darn good Jacksonville Jaguars team. With things back on track, it was up to the Buccaneers' defense to stop them - in this case they did not.
Not only did the Bucs' defense struggle in Santa Clara, but they also allowed Brock Purdy to achieve a milestone that hasn't been seen in the Bay area in over 30 years when Steve Young and Joe Montana ran the offense for San Francisco.
Against the Bucs, Purdy was able to complete 21 of his 25 passes (84%) for 333 yards and three touchdowns to zero interceptions and averaged 13.3 yards per pass attempt.
Purdy's performance against the Buccaneers was perfect. Yes, actually perfect. The stat line he was able to put up was good enough to earn him a perfect passer rating of 158.3 - something that hasn't been achieved in San Francisco since 1989 by both Steve Young and Joe Montana and something only himself and Bills' QB Josh Allen (2023) have been able to accomplish over the past three seasons.
The Buccaneers did suffer some injuries with LB Lavonte David going out for a bit and CB Jamel Dean ultimately being ruled out of the game with a foot/ankle injury, but even then LB Devin White struggled in coverage and opposing corner to Dean, Carlton Davis III, also once again struggled to stop the three headed monster of Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk.
Tampa Bay will need to find some consistency on the defensive side of the ball as there is still just a smidge of hope that they can come out on top of the NFC South.
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