With a sack against San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens, Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has hit double digit sacks on the season. That ends a 13-year drought in Tampa Bay when it comes to a player having 10 sacks or more. The last time that was accomplished by a Buccaneer was in 2005 when Simeon Rice posted 14.
The 49ers entered the game surrendering 31 sacks this year, but Mullens had not been sacked in his two previous starts until Sunday.
There have been a few Buccaneers that have come close over the years. Defensive end Michael Bennett had nine sacks in 2012. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had 9.5 sacks the next year, followed by 8.5 sack seasons in 2013 and in ’14.
Pierre-Paul came into Sunday’s game against the 49ers with 9.5 sacks to lead the Buccaneers, who have 25 on the season. Tampa Bay is on pace to reach 40 sacks this year after posting a league-low 22 last year.