SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers picked off Brad Johnson three times Sunday and rolled to a 24-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers (3-3) started their Super Bowl run with a 31-6 rout of the 49ers last Jan. 12 at Tampa. Johnson threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone.
But San Francisco (3-4) turned the tables on Sunday. Cornerback Ahmed Plummer set the tone with an interception on the third play from scrimmage, setting up the Niners at the Tampa Bay 38.
Jeff Garcia hit Terrell Owens with a 17-yard pass before Garrison Hearst scored on a seven-yard run 3:22 into the game. Owens caught six passes for a season-high 152 yards. left in the first half.
Garcia passed for 253 yards and two touchdowns and Hearst gained 117 yards on 20 carries.
Johnson completed 21-of-34 passes for 241 yards.
