With an overtime win against the St. Louis Rams in the rear-view mirror for the 49ers, San Francisco hosted the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Given how poorly Tampa Bay has fared in the past when playing on the road in SF, the 49ers would be a perfect test for those still doubting the Bucs as a legit team. No one would like to guarantee that more than Josh Freeman who has developed the potential to become one of the game's up and coming star quarterbacks in only his second year. Meanwhile, 49er QB Troy Smith came into Sunday aiming to add to a resume of his own. Hoping to extend San Francisco's current winning streak of two games and improve his career mark to an undefeated 3-0 when being named the starter, Smith would have his work cut out for him and had a hard time getting anything going with his offense.
Though that wouldn't appear to be the case in the game's early going. After being awarded good field position on almost every offensive possession thanks to Ted Ginn's good kick returning and an early gamble by the Bucs deciding to fake a punt, the 49ers were unable to find an answer as Smith struggled mightily. The combination of San Francisco's lackluster offense and a number of miscues including a Josh Morgan fumble, spelled doom for the 49ers, as Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams scored on a 6-yard run, giving Tampa Bay a lead that would only increase. Heading into the locker room behind 7-0 at half time, the contest remained a one possession game before Josh Freeman took control. Hoping to rally late, Troy Smith was intercepted by veteran cornerback Ronde Barber, ending the threat.
For Barber who has played for the Buccaneers his entire career since being drafted in 1997, the pick-off was the 40th of his career, and solidified a place in the history books for the 5-time Pro Bowler. While Barber stands alone as the Bucs all-time leader in interceptions, he also stands tall in a club of his own, becoming the first and only player in NFL history to record 40 interceptions and 25 sacks in a career. With neither teams offense putting up eye-popping numbers, Freeman clearly had the better game, passing for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns in route to a 21-0 win. The blowout loss was the first time the 49ers were shut out at Candlestick Park in 33-years. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay logged their first win at the Stick since 1980 and only their second ever.
Week 12 Preview - With little positivity to poke at regarding the loss, I think I speak for everyone when I say Monday can't come any sooner. In spite of the poor 3-7 records heading into Week 12, the division foe Arizona Cardinals will host the visiting San Francisco 49ers for a Monday Night game on ESPN. Although the records are nothing to brag about, the game could very will determine one teams Playoff fate, depending on how Seattle and St. Louis fair against their opponents this week. Regardless of the game being on the road, I expect to see Mike Singletary and co. get back on winning track, or else we might be seeing another change at the quarterback position. That however remains up to this man:
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