NFL 2011 Week 5 - Alex Smith's 3 TD Passes and Stifling Defense Lift 49ers Over Bucs

Alex Smith's 3 TD Passes and Stifling Defense Lift 49ers Over Bucs
John Raffel

San Francisco, CA

Quarterback Alex Smith went 11-for-19 for 170 yards with three scores and the San Francisco 49ers demolished the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-3 at Candlestick Park.

Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers had a statement game as they overwhelmed the resurging Buccaneers on their home turf.

Smith, who covered 795 yards with 4 TD in the last four games, once again ignited the 49ers offense with a 26-yard TD pass to Delanie Walker in the 10:26 mark of the first quarter.

Cornerback Carlos Rogers further padded the lead for the 49ers after intercepting Josh Freeman's pass to wide receiver Kellen Winslow and returned it for 31-yard out touchdown.

Running bank Frank Gore made it a 21-3 bulge on a two-yard run midway through the second quarter.

The 49ers offense continued to roll in the second half with Smith hooking up with wideout Vernon Davis twice and running back Anthony Dixon scoring on a 1-yard run.

The 49ers covered 205 yards on the ground and 213 yards in the air, showing improved balance following Harbaugh's arrival.

San Francisco's defense was also relentless, forcing Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers receivers to 186 yards with two interceptions and no touchdown.

With the win, the 49ers lord on top of the NFC West with a 4-1 record ahead of Seattle Seahawks (2-3), Arizona Cardinals (1-4), and still winless St. Louis Rams (0-4).

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, absorbed their first defeat after a three-game winning streak and dropped to 3-2 in the NFC South.