Author: Fred Goodall

Cade Otton is showing the rest of the NFL the type of offensive weapon the Tampa Bay Buccaneers always felt he could become. The third-year tight end has generally been regarded as a strong blocker, but has emerged over the past month as a reliable go-to target for Baker Mayfield in the absence of injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. And even with Evans possibly returning from a hamstring injury after this week’s bye, the Bucs probably will need to keep Otton heavily involved in the passing attack to enhance the chances of pulling out of a tailspin that’s seen the team lose five of six games following a 3-1 start.

Jake Moody redeemed himself after missing three earlier field goals by booting a 44-yarder as time expired to give the San Francisco 49ers a 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in running back Christian McCaffrey’s season debut. In his first game back after being sidelined three weeks with a sprained ankle, Moody also kicked field goals of 28 and 33 yards for the defending NFC champion 49ers, who have won consecutive games for the first time this season. But the usually reliable kicker also missed wide left from 49 and 50 yards before missing wide right on a 44-yard attempt that would have given San Francisco a six-point lead with 3:09 remaining.