Most Impressive In Week 6

The Bucs and 49ers took the field on Sunday afternoon, both sitting at 4-1 after getting out to hot starts to open the year. Speaking of hot, it was not as sweltering at Raymond James Stadium as the temperature has dropped into the low 80s as we continue through October.

Tampa Bay faced a familiar foe as San Francisco came to town after also doing so last year. With the Bucs having lost the previous three meetings, they were looking to get right and came away with a hard-fought, 30-19 win. Here is what was most impressive after an action-packed Sunday that now has them at 5-1.

QB Baker Mayfield

It took a while for Baker Mayfield to start baking, but a couple of big plays gave him and the Bucs momentum late in the third quarter. It started when Mayfield somehow, some way escaped a sack on third-and-14 and went on to scramble 15 yards for a first down. That breathed life into what was a quiet Raymond James Stadium crowd.

Then, Mayfield connected on another deep ball.

With Emeka Egbuka ruled doubtful to return at this point of the game with a hamstring injury, it was Tez Johnson who filled the void and made an incredible 45-yard touchdown catch.

It was a game where not much was going right for Mayfield, but by the end of this sequence, he had the crowd chanting “MVP, MVP, MVP!”

America’s quarterback completed 17 of his 23 passes on the day for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

Bucs Pass Rush

The pass rush has been featured on the Most Disappointing column more than once this year, but that was not the case in this one. The Bucs applied pressure on Mac Jones early, starting when the 49ers moved into scoring range when Jones connected with Kendrick Bourne for a 41-yard gain. Faced with a third-and-5 that would have gotten them into the red zone had they converted, rookie defensive tackle Elijah Roberts came up big.

At first it looked like defensive tackle Vita Vea would bring down Jones, but Roberts busted through the offensive line to wrap him up and prevent them from tying the game. The end result was each receiving a half sack for their efforts. San Francisco had to settle for a field goal instead.

On another third down in the first quarter, it was outside linebacker Yaya Diaby who wrapped Jones up for a sack. After Larry Foote challenged Diaby and Haason Reddick to “pick it up,” the outside pass rush did its job. Then, to end the first quarter, it was cornerback Jamel Dean to come off the left side to get a sack, the first of his career.

It would not be until the fourth quarter that the defense registered another sack, but what a sack it was. Inside linebacker Lavonte David brought down Jones on a third-and-11 to force a punt. Later in the quarter, reserve defensive lineman C.J. Brewer and Reddick joined the party splitting a sack.

For good measure, Diaby added another sack, the defense’s sixth sack of the game, demonstrating how the pass rush came alive with everyone getting involved.

CB Jamel Dean

Jamel Dean is back, folks.

Not only did Dean make a scene by getting a first-quarter sack, but he also had an encore by intercepting Mac Jones in the fourth quarter when the 49ers offense stayed out to go for it on fourth-and-6. It was the second takeaway of the day for Tampa Bay’s defense, and for Dean, it continued the great start he has had to this season as he is now playing like one of the league’s top cornerbacks in a contract year.

WRs Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson

Seen playing catch with fans before the game, it came to my attention that Kameron Johnson had yet to record an NFL reception. Everyone has seen Johnson dazzle as a return specialist this season, and he has even gotten a couple of end-arounds.

But a reception? It had eluded him until now.

Just before halftime, Baker Mayfield found a wide-open Kameron Johnson as he held on and ran it in the endzone to not only make his first catch of his career, but make it count for a 34-yard touchdown that extended the Bucs’ lead 20-13 over the 49ers. He has been waiting and biding his time to make an offensive contribution, doing so in a way he will remember for the rest of his life.

Then came the other Johnson.

Tez Johnson’s 45-yard touchdown catch, as seen above, was a huge moment for him and the rest of the team. With how beaten up the wide receiver room has gotten, the offense really needed these big plays and may rely on each of them more in the weeks ahead.

RBs Rachaad White And Sean Tucker

Filling in for Bucky Irving again, Rachaad White was another player who took his increased snaps and ran with it – literally.

White had another productive game on the ground, starting with his first quarter touchdown run. His efficiency on the ground is not appreciated enough, nor is his ability to fight for yards in short-yardage situations. The dual threat back finished with 17 carries for 65 rushing yards, adding another three receptions for 21 receiving yards.

Sean Tucker did not get nearly as many carries as his backfield counterpart, but he capitalized on his first carry in the second quarter, taking it in for a 9-yard touchdown after cutting it to the outside.

Irving’s loss has been made up for by the big gains by White. Seeing Tucker make an impact is a welcome sign, and there is renewed optimism that it can once again be a three-headed monster at running back that can terrorize opposing defenses at full strength.

CB Kindle Vildor

Kindle Vildor was the beneficiary of extended playing time on Sunday as Zyon McCollum was ruled out with a thumb injury before the game. After impressing throughout training camp and the preseason, Vildor came through with a big play in the first quarter.

There was no better way for the Bucs’ defense to get off to a great start than by Vildor intercepting Mac Jones’ first pass. The veteran cornerback had an easy chance at a pick-six, but he stumbled and fell to the ground not once but twice attempting to run down the field.

Tampa Bay will gladly take the takeaway regardless, and it set up Rachaad White for a bruising 10-yard carry followed up by a 2-yard touchdown run. Getting the interception alone proved his worth, and he held up enough when asked to play on the outside when Todd Bowles called the nickel defensive package.

P Riley Dixon

Since speaking to the media ahead of the Bucs’ Week 5 game against the Seahawks, Riley Dixon has been all business. That continued on Sunday, as Dixon had three punts and averaged 55.3 yards per punt, placing each one within the 20 and as close to the opponent’s goal line as possible. He still has work to do to earn positive fanfare, but it appears that he has done enough to secure his spot, especially if he keeps showcasing his ability to boom punts without getting blocked.

OLB Chris Braswell – On Special Teams

You might see the name Chris Braswell and the last thing you might think of is putting him in here. Braswell makes the cut for the work he did on special teams. An issue for the unit has been giving up long kick returns, but the second-year linebacker had a couple of key tackles to limit yardage. It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.