Well, Bucs fans, you can cancel your Monday morning EKGs that you have been routinely needing through the first five weeks of the season.
For the first time all season, the Bucs did not have a game come down to a score in the final minute of the game as they won by a score of 30-19. Baker Mayfield solidified himself as the front-runner as the league MVP after his performance against the 49ers, and he was able to do what he did with the players he had at his disposal. The defense also had one of its better performances as it got after quarterback Mac Jones, forced him to throw two interceptions, and kept its talented offense in check. They gave up several big plays, but the defense bent but never broke as a result.
With all that in mind, we have some winners and losers to discuss.
Winner: Jason Licht
Whenever a roster is missing as many important pieces as the Bucs are, you expect them to stumble in some form or fashion. Ironically, this Bucs team has somehow gotten better with each week and with the way the coaching staff has had to shuffle around players. It speaks to the work of Jason Licht and his front office staff as they have built a complete roster. That is often a compliment that has been given to countless teams, but they never get to show it. For better or worse, the Bucs have shown the work of Licht, and they have proven it is among the best efforts of any general manager in the NFL.
Loser: Linebacking Unit
The play of SirVocea Dennis and Lavonte David has been less than ideal in 2025. In the case of David, he has shown that at age 36, he is starting to slow down, and that is okay. Despite all of that, he has still shown he has moments of brilliance where he can make splash plays like he did over the last two weeks with the crucial interception against the Seahawks and the pivotal sack on Sunday. As for SirVocea Dennis, he has no excuses. He has shown he cannot be the future leader of the middle of this defense, as he struggles in the open field and in coverage. The team does not have many more options in 2025, but in 2026, they need to make a change.
Winner: Secondary
The work of the secondary in Week 6 was phenomenal all the way around. The play of the safeties, especially Tykee Smith, was above and beyond expectations. His closing speed at the position really shines through at the safety position, and it helps with the team’s downfield coverage. The biggest star on Sunday was Jamel Dean, though, as he was able to make two notable plays, including an interception and a sack in the game. This unit is slowly becoming one of the better parts of the roster, regardless of offense or defense, and they are helping this team achieve new heights in the process.
Loser: Offensive Line
The offensive line had an okay game by most stretches of the imagination, but they could have had more success to help Mayfield in the pocket. The playmaking quarterback was forced to extend plays as he was under pressure time and again, and thankfully, he has the awareness to do so, or else the offense would have been in trouble. This unit is beyond beaten up I do not hold it against them, but they have to be more serviceable as the tougher part of the schedule lines up for them.
Winner: Bucs’ Pass Rush
Yaya Diaby finally had the breakout game he had been flirting with all season long. The pressures had been there all year, and yet, the production had not been there for him. However, with his two sacks and four more, the team had six on the day, with 10 more QB hits to their total. They were consistently pressuring Mac Jones, and while he had time to make some big-time throws, he was never able to truly have the time needed to rip this Bucs’ defense apart.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Winners and Losers from the Buccaneers impressive win over the 49ers
Reporting by Andrew Harbaugh, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
