Ugh: interjection: sound used to express disgust or horror. First used in 1678. Used 4,212 times during the 49ers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. Sounds like: ugly.

Catastrophe: a momentous, tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin. First used in 1540. And every 3rd down that the Niners had the ball on Sunday.


The game this weekend was, from five minutes after kickoff, difficult to watch. The offense started badly when wide receiver Kendrick Bourne ran the wrong route, and quarterback Mac Jones threw an interception that the Buccaneers turned into 7 points two plays later. One would say that Bourne redeemed himself with 5 catches for over 140 yards afterwards. But, as I wrote a week ago, the difference between good teams making mistakes or great plays and average teams doing the same is significant.

Last week, I am sure defensive tackle Alfred Collins missed a tackle at some point. But when the game was on the line, he forced a fumble to save the day. Yesterday, Bourne's bad route cost the 49ers 7 points and put them behind for the rest of the game.

But Bourne was not alone with the untimely mistakes. Cornerback Renardo Green made some good plays in coverage. But on 3rd-and-long, with the Niners down by a single point, quarterback Baker Mayfield scrambled and Green whiffed on a tackle that would have forced the Bucs to punt. Instead, the diminutive Mayfield bowled his way past him for a 1st down. Two plays later, Mayfield connected with receiver Tez Johnson for a 45-yard touchdown.

The offensive line has been much maligned—and for good reason. In this game, quarterback Mac Jones was sacked 6 times and hit at least 10 more. He is an already-injured quarterback. The 49ers could need him for another week. He had time to throw when the play was less consequential. Twice, he was sacked on 3rd down, forcing a punt.

And then, there was the worst part of the game: linebacker Fred Warner was injured and lost for the season. It was horrible to lose defensive end Nick Bosa for the year, but it was apparent immediately that Warner's loss may be bigger. On the Bucs' first four drives, they punted three times, and their touchdown was due to the interception deep in 49ers territory.


Then Warner got hurt.

After that, the Buccaneers never punted again. Linebacker Dee Winters is the most improved player on the team, but he can't cover pass catchers like Fred can. Tatum Bethune, who replaced Warner, ended up with 10 tackles, but none for a loss, and he missed tackles or was out of position in ways Fred never would be.

And then, as commentator Tony Romo pointed out, one of the biggest losses was the way Warner gets everyone lined up before a play. He is one of the best in the league at that, too. Perhaps one of the best in the past ten years. That is something head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, despite their extensive personnel expertise, cannot simply replace. Bethune has been tabbed to do that job going forward, and he has never started before. That is more than worrisome.

Sunday's game was one loss. It was a frustrating one because the final score does not indicate that the 49ers did most of that to themselves. It was winnable.

But bad games happen, and we can hope that much of this was a "get it out of their system" monstrosity. However, there is no doubt that the loss of Warner changes the level of legitimate hope. We will see if Shanahan and his defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, can rise to the occasion. It is the greatest test of their careers, but I will try to hold onto hope.

Written By:

Jack Stewart


Jack Stewart was educated at Alabama and Emory and was a Brittain Fellow at Georgia Tech. His poetry has been published widely in the US and several other countries. His book No Reason was published in the Poeima Poetry Series in 2020.
All articles by Jack Stewart


Follow us on: X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram

Read Original Article
Visit 49ers Webzone

More San Francisco 49ers News