Buccaneers vs. 49ers: A sloppy offensive showing is highlight of half

The second half is set to kick off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading the San Francisco 49ers; here are the first half highlights.

The first half between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers has come to a close with the Buccaneers leading 7-6. Who would have thought that the only touchdown in this game would come on a defensive score after Vernon Hargreaves III picked off Jimmy Garoppolo and returned it for six.

The highlight of this game, thus far, was former linebacker of the Bucs, Kwon Alexander, getting ejected in the first quarter of his return to Raymond James Stadium after he hit a sliding Jameis Winston in the helmet with the crown of his helmet. The Bucs have gotten a good amount of pressure from their defensive front, and have gotten home once with Shaquil Barrett getting to Garoppolo.

The defense has played extremely well, capping off the half by forcing a fumble that was recovered by Carlton Davis to keep the Niners off the board as they were in field goal range. Both Hargreaves and Davis have proven why they were chosen as the starters on this Bucs’ defense after beating out Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean for the jobs at corner.

More from The Pewter Plank

• Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
• ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
• Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
• Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
• The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023

Most surprisingly is the struggles of the offense that was expected to be more high powered than they were a year ago. On two separate occasions, tight end O.J. Howard has caused a tight end, dropping a pass that lead to an interception and fumbling another ball to the turf. Cameron Brate scored two touchdowns on the same drive for the Buccaneers, however both were called back on holding calls by right tackle Demar Dotson.

Thus far, Winston has completed 50 percent of his passes for 72 total yards and the interception that was caused by a pass that went off of Howard’s hands. Peyton Barber leads the Buccaneers in rushing with 23 yards on six carries, nearing four yards per carry; Ronald Jones has managed just seven yards on four carries, but leads the Bucs in receiving with 18 yards on one catch.

Mike Evans, playing through the flu, has 16 yards receiving on one catch, Chris Godwin with 15 yards on as many catches, and O.J. Howard with 13 yards on two catches. The Buccaneers still have the lead as the second half is set to begin, but the offense must pick it up.

Good news for the Bucs is that the 49ers’ offense is also struggling with Garoppolo going 13-for-16 with only 100 yards passing and one score; he was sacked just once by Shaquil Barrett as well. In this closely contested matchup in week one at Raymond James Stadium, the Buccaneers are firmly in position to come out with a victory.