If you were to only look at the box score, you'd think the 49ers came out in the second half and ran all over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is why it's important to actually watch the game. You can feel the contest. Brock Purdy threw for three-times more yards than Baker Mayfield on Sunday. Did it feel like he had a better game? The Niners nearly doubled the overall offensive output of the Bucs. Did it feel like it?
It's a shame Purdy, who spent the first eight weeks of the season not looking at his X receiver; a byproduct of not having Brandon Aiyuk in training camp, so rarely looked his way. Jauan Jennings, the only receiver that Brock Purdy seems to trust, caught 7 passes for 93 yards. His most important play of the game was his recovery of Brock Purdy's sack fumble in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Kyle Shanahan was always going to use McCaffrey like he was 100 percent healthy. The 49ers running back looked like his old self, and Shanahan didn't hold back on making him the offense's focal point. That was a smart play, because his impact was necessary, not only in creating zone-coverage looks in the pass game, but also as a running back and pass catcher.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield is a quick thrower of the ball. He didn't need to be quick on Sunday. He had all day to throw. Nick Bosa was not as effective as expected, leading to an underwhelming performance by the 49ers' defensive line.
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