Extra Point: Takeaways From The Buccaneers Loss To The 49ers

JC Allen delivers his biggest takeaways from the Buccaneers' loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were underdogs for a reason in their Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. They were clearly a better team going into it and a better team at the end of it. The Bucs are now 4-6, but somehow miraculously just one game back of the NFC South division lead.

The schedule eases up for the Bucs and the team knows they hold their destiny in their hands with four divisional games remaining. They need to clean up some things and get healthy but a third consecutive NFC South crown remains firmly in their grasp. 

Here are my top three takeaways from the Bucs Week 3 loss. 

Star Linebacker Shaquille Leonard Could Become Realistic Option for Buccaneers

Bucs Secondary Continues To Struggle

The Bucs can't seem to get a stop in the secondary. The fact that safety Antoine Winfield Jr. led the team with 16 tackles! 16! Says it all. A combination of off-coverage looks, poor angles, and sloppy tackling techniques allowed the 49ers to move the ball at will. 

San Francisco gained 81 yards after contact in the running game and a whopping 170 yards after the catch. You can't allow those kind of numbers and expect to win. After what appeared to be a bounce-back game for the defense against the Titans, the Bucs' defense reverted into a free-for-all for explosive plays in the running and passing games.

Injuries Become A Major Concern

Like most teams the Bucs haven't been able to avoid the injury bug this season. While they haven't suffered any season-ending injuries since real games began, they've been banged up all year with the secondary hit the hardest. 

The defense was decimated in the loss to the 49ers losing three starters in corners Jamel Dean (foot), Carlton Davis (hip) and linebacker Lavonte David (groin). There was a scary moment when Tristan Wirfs had to come out of the game after having a defender step on his ankle but he was able to return. 

The length and extent of the Bucs injured defensive players is unknown but it has come at the worst time. Tampa Bay's schedule is starting to lighten up and to be without three starters for an extended period of time could throw a massive wrench in their quest for a third straight division title. 

Buccaneers Fall in Power Rankings After Loss to San Francisco 49ers

Collapse After The Half Continues

The Buccaneers have six losses to just four wins on the season. However, they have been in every game they've played at the half. That's when things go sideways. The latest loss to the 49ers was no different. Down 13-7, with the ball back after halftime, the Bucs had the opportunity to jump out in the lead. Instead, they gain just 19 yards, fail to convert a third down, and punt the ball away.

The defense promptly gave up a 76 yard touchdown to put the Bucs down two scores. The next drive saw a gain of 23 yards and a punt and you guessed a another touchdown by the 49ers to officially put the game out of reach. This has become a trend for the Buccaneers and one they need to reverse if they are going to go on a stretch run. 

Three Up, Three Down

UP 

OLB Yaya Diaby

Diaby finished the day with two sacks and three tackles for loss along with two quarterback hits. He did all that in just 21 snaps on defense. As he continues to grow and learn the game, this Todd Bowles will need to get him on the field more. 

S Antoine Winfield Jr.

It's never good when your safety has 16 tackles in a game and leads the team in that area. That being said Winfield was a lifesaver for the Bucs on defense and prevented this game from being more lopsided than it was. He is so good in run support and has sound technque along with good angles while tackling. 

DT Vita Vea

Vea is a problem. The 49ers found that out just like the rest of the Bucs opponents have this season. Rarely did the 49ers try to run up the middle and when they did they found little success.He had another sack on the day two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit as well as three pressures. 

Buccaneers' Defense Allows 49ers' Quarterback Brock Purdy to Make NFL History

Down 

CB Carlton Davis

to say it was a bad day for the Bucs secondary would be an understatement. Davis was a huge part of the lack of success. Not only did he have some terrible angles on tackles, missing four, he let up 77 yards and Deebo Samuel's 40-yard catch and run. Not a good look. 

CB Jamel Dean

Dean was also the beneficiary of Brock Purdy's perfect day. He was on the receiving end of Brandon Aiyuk's 76 yard touchdown catch and run and let up nearly 100 yards on the day through the air. 

LB Devin White

The $20 million dollar man had just two tackles on the day while missing two more. He let up 30 yards receiving including Christian McCaffrey's four-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. 

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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