SANTA CLARA — The 49ers continued their disturbing 2016 trend of barnstorming out of the gates, but limping to the finish line, in a 34-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Colin Kaepernick opened the game with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, Gerald Hodges intercepted Jameis Winston deep in Tampa Bay’s territory and Shaun Draughn snagged a touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone.
Playing energized football, San Francisco found themselves with a 14-0 first quarter lead.
In due time, the wheels started falling off.
The Buccaneers rushed for 249 yards, Winston tossed three touchdown passes and the 49ers eventually ran out of answers on offense to keep up with a better football team. It was their sixth straight loss, intensifying the hot seat for both general manager Trent Baalke and first-year defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil. What’s preventing this team from going 1-15?
The tides started to turn in Tampa Bay’s favor in the second quarter on a Kaepernick interception. After fleeing the pocket and rolling to his left, Kaepernick awkwardly flung an errant pass into the hands of Bradley McDougal. Nothing went right for the 49ers after that play.
In the third quarter, Jeremy Kerley muffed a punt after teammate Aaron Burbridge bumped into him, Kaepernick was clobbered on a sack-fumble and the team failed to move the ball past midfield. Tampa Bay turned one mistake into a 27-0 run.
Jacquizz Rodgers become the latest unheralded running back to gash the 49ers, the second consecutive week they’ve allowed a 100-yard rusher before halftime. Rodgers finished with 154 yards rushing; little-known backup Peyton Barber added a 44-yard touchdown in garbage time.
With Carlos Hyde sidelined (shoulder) Kaepernick didn’t receive much help in the rushing game. Recently promoted practice squad player DuJuan Harris and Mike Davis combined for 60 yards on 18 carries. Kaepernick himself rushed for 84 yards on nine rushes, but completed just 16 of his 34 passes.
Promising rookie cornerback Rashard Robinson was carted off the field; Arik Armstead and Aaron Lynch were also injured and did not return. Remember, Tampa Bay accomplished this blowout win without top playmakers Doug Martin and Vincent Jackson.
Luckily, the 49ers have a bye next week and will return to action in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints.