Coming off a pivotal stretch in our season, we knew this Week 10 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers would be a true test of our team’s consistency. Despite the 49ers entering the game with a 3-7 record, the talent on their roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball, demanded our full attention. I’m proud of the way our guys responded, locking in from the first snap to deliver a statement victory, moving us to 8-2 on the season.
The final score, 49-13, speaks for itself. We came out fast and never took our foot off the gas. The offensive explosion, combined with suffocating defense and reliable special teams, made this one of our most complete games of the year. We executed in all three phases, and that’s the standard we’re setting as we push into the back half of the season.
Offense: Mayfield and Receivers Shine Bright
Baker Mayfield turned in one of his best performances of the season, showcasing the kind of leadership and poise we’ve come to expect from him. He finished the day 20-for-27, throwing for an astounding 411 yards, 5 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His 74.1% completion percentage and a passer rating of 155.4 were reflective of his control over the offense and his ability to read the defense. Baker spread the ball around to multiple receivers, making it nearly impossible for the 49ers’ secondary to keep up.
Chris Godwin was unstoppable, putting up one of the best games of his career. He had 7 receptions for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a breathtaking 74-yard catch-and-run that broke the 49ers’ backs early in the second half. Godwin’s ability to get open, create after the catch, and find the end zone was on full display. This was the kind of game that reminds everyone why Godwin is a cornerstone of our offense.
It wasn’t just the Godwin show, though. Trey Palmer stepped up big, pulling in 3 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. Palmer has been a growing presence in our passing attack, and this game showed how lethal he can be when given space to operate. His speed and ability to get separation opened things up for us downfield. Mike Evans also made his presence felt, hauling in 2 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers’ defense simply had no answer for our vertical passing game. The deep ball, the play-action—we hit them from every angle.
The run game didn’t post massive numbers, but it was solid enough to keep the 49ers honest. Rachaad White led the way with 21 carries for 75 yards, consistently grinding out tough yards. His ability to make something out of nothing and fall forward kept us ahead of the chains. Bucky Irving chipped in with 16 yards on 4 carries, while Leonard Fournette added 14 yards on 3 carries. Even though we leaned heavily on the pass, our run game did its job, setting the table for play-action and keeping San Francisco’s defense on its heels.
Defense: Relentless Pressure, Smothering Coverage
Defensively, this was a vintage performance for us. The game plan coming in was simple—stop the run, make Brock Purdy beat us through the air, and generate pressure. Our front seven executed to perfection. We held Christian McCaffrey to just 1 yard on 5 carries, completely shutting down their ground attack. Once we took away the run, it became a long day for their offense.
The pass rush was relentless. Calijah Kancey continues to blossom into a force on our defensive line, recording a sack and being a constant presence in the backfield. He’s becoming a player offensive lines have to account for on every snap. Vita Vea was his usual disruptive self, clogging up running lanes and collapsing the pocket. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka also got to Purdy once, rounding out a dominant performance from our defensive front.
Even though Purdy threw for 327 yards, the majority of those were empty stats in garbage time. Early in the game, when it mattered, our secondary blanketed their receivers. Antoine Winfield Jr. led the way with 4 tackles and a few crucial pass breakups. His football IQ and instincts are off the charts, and he continues to be the leader of our back end. Lavonte David, as always, was all over the field, recording 4 tackles. His leadership and play recognition were key in stopping their misdirection plays. Patrick Peterson contributed 2 tackles and an interception, and our defensive unit as a whole swarmed to the ball, limiting yards after the catch.
Our goal-line defense was especially impressive, as we held the 49ers to just 1 touchdown on 3 trips to the red zone. When they got close, we tightened up, forcing them into field goals or turnovers on downs. It was a true bend-but-don’t-break performance, and that’s something we pride ourselves on.
Special Teams: Steady as Ever
Special teams were rock solid once again. Chase McLaughlin continued his perfect run, nailing all 5 extra points. He didn’t have to attempt a field goal, but knowing we have a reliable kicker gives us confidence in those high-pressure situations. Jake Camarda was consistent as ever, punting 1 times for an average of 37 yards. His ability to pin teams deep and flip field position when needed can’t be overstated, and he’s been a key weapon for us all season.
Key Coaching Takeaways:
- Offensive Efficiency: Our offense clicked from the first drive. Mayfield was decisive, spreading the ball around to multiple targets. Our ability to get the ball to our playmakers, especially Godwin and Palmer, made all the difference. The passing game opened up everything else, and our offensive line did a great job protecting Baker against a talented 49ers front.
- Defensive Execution: I couldn’t be prouder of our defense. Stopping McCaffrey was the top priority, and our guys answered the call. Once we made them one-dimensional, we unleashed the pass rush. Kancey, Vea, and Tryon-Shoyinka were relentless. This was the kind of defensive effort that wins championships, and it sets the tone for what we expect from our guys week in and week out.
- Third-Down and Red Zone Success: On both sides of the ball, we were dominant in key situations. Offensively, we converted our chances in the red zone, and defensively, we held them to just 1 touchdown. Winning those moments is critical, and we executed when it mattered most.
- Maintaining Focus: Despite the lopsided score, our team stayed locked in for all four quarters. We didn’t let up, we didn’t lose focus, and that’s the kind of mentality we need to carry forward. It’s easy to get complacent in a blowout, but our guys kept playing at a high level. That’s the mark of a team that’s serious about making a deep playoff run.
Looking Ahead:
Sitting at 8-2, we’re in a great spot, but we know the journey isn’t over. There’s no time to relax in this league. Every week brings new challenges, and we have to stay sharp. We’ll enjoy this win for a moment, but then it’s back to the grind. The goals we’ve set for this season are bigger than any single game, and this victory puts us one step closer. We still have areas to clean up—especially tightening up our pass defense and continuing to establish a more consistent run game—but this team has shown it can dominate when we play Buccaneer football.
The energy is high in the locker room, but we’re staying hungry. We’ve got a lot more to prove, and as we head into the final stretch, we’ll be ready for every challenge that comes our way. Let’s keep this momentum going.
