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San Francisco 49ers: 3 Big takeaways from loss vs. Buccaneers in Week 12

By Nicholas McGee

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a 42-yard pass from quarterback Jameis Winston #3 in the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a 42-yard pass from quarterback Jameis Winston #3 in the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

Foster-less defense falls flat

We’ll never know if Reuben Foster would have made that much of a difference to the Niners’ defensive effort in Tampa, but his departure removes another supposed impact player from a defense sorely lacking them.

San Francisco’s paucity of defensive difference-makers was glaringly obvious against one of the league’s best offenses. DeForest Buckner had the 49ers’ sole sack of Jameis Winston as the much-maligned pass rush made no impact, with San Francisco consistently failing to get off the field on third down.

Even Richard Sherman, a pillar of consistency at cornerback for the Niners this season, had a disappointing day in attempting to cover Tampa Bay’s star receiver Mike Evans, who burned him for a 42-yard reception in the first quarter.

With no spark, next to no pressure and no turnovers against a team that had the worst differential in the NFL going into Week 12, the Niners had little hope of stopping Winston and Co. and, when the dust settles on this dismal campaign, the focus has to turn to fixing a defense that has fallen well below expectations.