San Francisco 49ers: Top 3 takeaways from Week 1 victory over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Justin Fried
![TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Mark Nzeocha #53 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Mark Nzeocha #53 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/04c8b3327f8d1b14d0498bde00b707e0a1a55b6e28059843f5fda9745a6d0eb3.jpg)
2. The pass rush is as good as advertised
But while the attention coming out of Sunday’s game will undoubtedly be on the flashy interceptions, the 49ers pass rush quietly had a dominant game setting the tone at the line of scrimmage.
Dee Ford, Nick Bosa, and Arik Armstead each came away with a sack in the game as the 49ers pass rush made life difficult for Jameis Winston all game long. There was no greater evidence of this than on Witherspoon’s game-clinching interception.
All three of Ford, Bosa, and Armstead converged on Winston, forcing the fifth-year signal-caller to rush his throw to the outside directly into the awaiting hands of Witherspoon.
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The 49ers worked hard this offseason to improve their pass rush adding Ford via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and Bosa in the NFL Draft. And after one game, it’s looking like their investments have already paid off.
Bosa was actually playing a little banged up after spraining his ankle last month. However, if he could stay healthy, he promises to be a game-changer for San Francisco.
An impressive showing by the pass rush capped off what was a dominant day for the 49ers defense.