49ers survive special teams, Jake Moody mistakes to win 23-20 over Buccaneers

Nov 10, 2024, 1:12 PM | Updated: 2:30 pm

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Jake Moody #4 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

After a rollercoaster of an afternoon in Tampa, the 49ers somehow, someway, did just enough to squeak out a win on the road. And it came from Jake Moody, the man that put them in the hole all afternoon.

The San Francisco 49ers avoided another late-game disaster to win 23-20 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. SF did so as the clock expired, seeing kicker Jake Moody convert a 44-yard field goal to send Raymond James Stadium home in heartbreak. What’s even crazier: Moody was the bane of the 49ers’ existence Sunday, almost single-handedly costing his team the dub.

Instead, coach Kyle Shanahan put his faith in him once more time, and he delivered to extend the 49ers record to 5-4 on the season.

Got it done‼️ pic.twitter.com/UrLG4rZPTY

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 10, 2024

Here’s what happened in West Florida.

The 49ers entered Tampa Bay needing a win out of the Bye Week. What they didn’t expect was a sloppy bar fight with the Buccaneers.

Both SF and TB struggled to get its’ offenses going out of the gate, both having six-play drives that stalled out to punts.

All eyes were on the 49ers first however, due to the return of Christian McCaffrey. CMC’s first carry of the 2024 season saw him pick up six yards. He didnt hav much room to run on the day though, going 13 carries for 39 yards on the ground. He was more effective in the passing game, catching six passes for 68 yards.

The visiting 49ers drew blood first Week 10. Near midfield, quarterback Brock Purdy found an open Ricky Pearsall over the middle, hitting him in stride. The speedy rookie wideout races past the Buccaneers’ defense, extending his arms past safety Antonie Winfield Jr. for the 46-yard score.

“Slick Rick’s” first TD of his young NFL career puts the Red & Gold up 7-0 late in the first quarter.

First NFL TD for Ricky Pearsall ‼️

📺 #SFvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/J8kjN1jYLB

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 10, 2024

The 49ers would add more points on the next series, chewing up more than eight minutes of game clock. Quarterback Brocjk Purdy converted numerous third downs to extend the drive, including plays to tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Jauan Jennings. SF’s redzone issues reared its’ ugly head unfortunately, unable to do much inside the 20-yard-line.

The 49ers would settle for three points as Moody converts from 28 yards to make it 10-0 SF midway through the second quarter.

Tampa Bay and QB Baker Mayfield weren’t going away however, going on a seven-minute drive next. Their drive lasted 13 plays, but like San Francisco, stalled out in the redzone. To make matters worse, star left tackle Tristan Wirfs was helped to the locker room after an apparent knee injury. He was ruled out in the second half.

Buccaneers’ K Chase Mclaughlin put the home side on the board, 10-3, with 1:14 left in the first half.

Then the 49ers’ special-teams woes began.

Purdy & Co. did enough to get into FG-range for Moody, but stalled out at Tampa’s 31-yard-line to force the kick. Moody went up and sliced the 48-yard try left, keeping the score at 10-3.

And thats how the first half would end, with the 49ers on top by one score.

San Francisco’s defense was rock solid for most of the game, and delivered out of the intermission. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown had a great pass break-up in coverage to force a three-and-out for the Buccaneers.

But the 49ers’ special teams had other plans.

Cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. was pushed into rookie WR Jacob Cowing on the punt return, forcing a muffed punt. The Buccaneers pounced on the football, flipping the field simultaneously.

Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense took advantage, needing four plays to find paydirt. The signal-caller hit RB Rachaad White on the screen pass to score the TD from nine yards away.

10-10 all just like that at the start of the third quarter.

The 49ers’ offense came back out and got things going again, picking up first down left and right to god down the field on 13 plays. But as been a recurring theme of the 2024 season, once the 49ers get to the redzone, things go haywire. SF wasn’t able to do much in goal-to-go, forcing Moody to come on for the 33-yard chip shot.

13-10 49ers with 4:21 left in the third.

Tampa Bay’s offense had woken up by that point, responding with a 10-play drive to the endzone.

Mayfield & Co. gashed the 49ers’ defense with a balanced attack, controlling the lie of scrimmage. That wore down SF eventually, as RB Bucky Irving took a right toss play to the endzone untouched from 12 yards out.

17-13, Buccaneers retake the lead early in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers’ next series started strong. Purdy hit Kittle for 33 yard catch and run out of the gate. The unit wasn’t able to do much more after that, forcing Moody to come on for a 50-yard try.

This time was the same result as the 48-yarder, shanking it wide left at the 11:50 mark of the quarter.

Luckily, the 49ers’ defense stood tall, forcing the Buccaneers into another three and out to hand the ball right back to its’ offense.

The Red & Gold’s next drive was sparked by Cowing, gaining 30 yards own his punt return to put them in good position. SF’s offense helped out thereafter, including a 30-yard lob prayer to McCaffrey to put them in Tampa Bay territory. Then, an unnecessary roughness call on Tampa Bay, as Purdy was hit out of bounds, giving SF 15 more yards.

The best play of the 49ers’ offense came in the redzone this series. On second down, Purdy bought time in the pocket using his legs, extending the play for a endzone strike. He would direct Kittle to the back left pylon, tossing a perfect spiral to the TE for an 11-yard toe-tap touchdown.

PURDY. KITTLE. SIX.

📺: #SFvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/vpTU6IinK1

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

20-17 49ers with 7:02 remaining.

The 49ers defense backs them up with a three and out, albeit mainly caused by Buccaneers’ miscues.

Now up three with less than five minutes, the 49ers had a chance to close the game out. That seemed to be the case early, as Purdy hit WR Deebo Samuel for a 32-yard slant.

The 49ers’ efforts were halted however, after Purdy lost the football on an attempts scramble. SF was forced to settle for three points, calling on Moody once more from 44 yards out.

And he missed it, this time just wide right to keep it 20-17 with 3:09 to play.

Three missed FGs for the returning Moody saw temper flares on the 49ers’ sideline. Samuel went after the young kicker, causing some pushing and shoving between him and long snapper Taybor Pepper.

3 missed kicks for the Niners today & Deebo is losing it on the long snapper

pic.twitter.com/ytaKCH1TSK

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 10, 2024

That didn’t help things for the 49ers’ defense, exhausted in the Florida heat. Even still, SF put Mayfield and Tampa Bay in a fourth-down scenario for the game. The QB delivered, escaping defensive end Nick Bosa to hit White for the first down. Then, the 49ers had mental lapses, called for three penalties to put the Bucs I goal-to-go territory.

The Red & Gold stood tall at the goal-line though, forcing a FG try for the home side.

20-20 with 41 seconds remaining on the game clock.

Despite all the miscues for the 49ers, the offense just needed to do enough to give them a chance. And that Purdy did, hitting WRs Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall to put SF in FG range. The former had the biggest gain of 13 yards to make the try more manageable for Moody.

With three second left, the 49ers had no choice but to send Moody back out there for another 44-yarder. This time he made it, sneaking it inside the right upright to win the game for the Red & Gold, 23-20.

It’s GOOD! Moody wins it for the @49ers! pic.twitter.com/NWwYbEVlWR

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

While the game was absolutely too close for comfort, the 49ers will take the win, as Shanahan was relieved to say the least.

“You’re only as good as your last kick so he did a hell of a job winning that game for us at the end,” the coach said about Jake Moody postgame.

“I knew he was going to make it,” Purdy added about the kicker.

The 49ers will look to extend the their winning record to six wins next weekend, facing the Seattle Seahawks at home. As of now, the 49ers are in second place in the NFC West at 5-4, meaning every divisional game matters down the stretch.