Niners Nation
Solid start for the road team
The San Francisco 49ers received the ball to begin the game. They got off to a hot start, but Brock Purdy missed Ricky Pearsall, and that led to punting in Tampa Bay’s territory.
The defense felt the loss of Charvarius Ward on the first third down of the game, as Cade Otton beat Isaac Yiadom for a first down. The Buccaneers didn’t have the same success on the ensuing third down. Not many teams do when they target Fred Warner.
The signs were there from the offense on the first drive. They did not disappoint on the second drive. McCaffrey made a player miss to convert a critical 2nd & 5 and avoid a third down. Brock Purdy found Ricky Pearsall for 46 yards and Pearsall’s first career score. It was an impressive anticipation throw from Brock, and Pearsall turned the jets on to race in the end zone.
Per Next Gen Stats, Ricky Pearsall reached 19.47 mph on that 46-yard TD. That’s the fastest time by a 49ers ball-carrier since Deebo Samuel in Week 6.
