On yesterday\u2019s\u00a0Locked On 49ers Podcast<\/a>, host Brian Peacock provided a rundown of the Niners\u2019 game \u2014 including game notes and key takeaways \u2014 and handed out four game balls from the San Francisco 49ers\u2019 Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<\/p>\n Despite the lopsided final score, Sunday\u2019s game was a close affair until the closing minutes of the contest, partially due to a 49ers\u2019 offense that has yet to hit on all cylinders. However, the Niners put an end to the turnover problems that\u00a0plagued the team last season<\/a>, as San Francisco recovered a fumble and intercepted three passes, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Given the defense\u2019s strong start to the 2019 NFL regular season, it\u2019s no surprise that the 49ers\u2019 defensive unit receives three of our first four game balls of 2019:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 49ers MIKE linebacker Fred Warner<\/a> appears poised for a breakout second season in the NFL. When fellow linebacker Kwon Alexander<\/a> was inappropriately ejected from Sunday\u2019s game, Warner knew he had to take control of both the middle of the field and his talented-but-inexperienced fellow linebackers. Warner was up to the task, as he finished Week 1 with a game-high nine tackles and forced a key red-zone fumble:<\/p>\n All-22 highlights from the #49ers<\/a>\u2018 #NFL<\/a> Week 1 victory, starting with LB Fred Warner @fred_warner<\/a>, who turned up the intensity after his fellow LB @kwon<\/a> was absurdly ejected. #SFvsTB<\/a> #49wz<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jbHMEzxK05<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) September 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n If the members of this group can remain healthy, the 49ers\u2019 defensive line will be a force in 2019. Although San Francisco\u2019s pass rushers had a difficult time bringing the Bucs\u2019 slippery quarterback Jameis Winston<\/a> to the ground \u2014 and rookie EDGE Nick Bosa<\/a>\u2018s ankle injury<\/a> was also a factor \u2014 the Niners\u2019 defensive line had the mobile QB on the run for most of the game and directly forced both of the 49ers\u2019 defensive touchdowns:<\/p>\n Winston is slippery, but the #49ers<\/a>\u2018 defensive line successfully kept him off his spot and forced him into poor throws, including the pair of pick-6\u2019s \u2013 and they still tallied 3 sacks and a forced fumble. #SFvsTB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vteJak6iEh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) September 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon<\/a> was the better of the 49ers\u2019 two outside corners in Week 1, which was reflected in his team-leading 80.8 defensive grade and 81.7 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus<\/a>. Witherspoon broke up two passes and returned an interception for a score, which left Winston with a 4.9 quarterback rating when throwing in the third-year cornerback\u2019s direction:<\/p>\n Ahkello Witherspoon @ahkello<\/a> had a day on Sunday, which was highlighted by his pick-6. The #49ers<\/a>\u2018 corner currently ranks as the #NFL<\/a>\u2018s 5th best CB, per @PFF<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/Vl0z8jBYUt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) September 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n As the team\u2019s starting slot receiver, wideout Richie James<\/a> was on the field for over a third of the 49ers\u2019 offensive snaps, but saw only two passes thrown his way. James finished the matchup with just a single catch, but his 39-yard touchdown reception proved to be the turning point in the game. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a> hit James in stride on the Niners\u2019 opening drive of the second half, giving San Francisco their first lead of the regular season. Two plays later, cornerback Richard Sherman<\/a>\u2018s pick-6 put the 49ers\u2019 in the driver\u2019s seat, en route to their first victory of 2019:<\/p>\n #49ers<\/a> WR Richie James @Senseispunk<\/a> caught one pass on Sunday, but it was a game-changer. This 39-yard touchdown reception was the turning point in the #SFvsTB<\/a> matchup. #GoNiners<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wkHIB6P0g3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) September 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Listen to Locked On 49ers host Brian Peacock\u2019s review of the San Francisco 49ers\u2019 Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers \u2014 including game notes and key takeaways from the Niners\u2019 first matchup of the 2019 NFL regular season \u2014 on yesterday\u2019s\u00a0Rapid React podcast<\/a>:<\/p>\n49ers LB Fred Warner<\/h3>\n
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49ers\u2019 Defensive Line<\/h3>\n
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49ers CB Ahkello Witherspoon<\/h3>\n
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49ers WR Richie James<\/h3>\n
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