49ers Topple the Patriots 30-13; Six Takeaways from #NEvsSF
The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0 at home in 2024 after their 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon. The team welcomed back tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to the starting offense and despite dealing with huge loss at defensive tackle (season-ending injury to Javon Hargrave) a platoon of players on the defensive line jumped in to help stall the Patriots offense.
Here are six takeaways from the 49ers vs. Patriots game:
QB1 Leads the Way
Brock Purdy followed up his stellar Week 3 outing with another solid performance versus New England. In his 25th NFL start, the third-year QB1 completed 15-of-27 pass attempts for 288 yards, a touchdown and interception. Purdy spread the ball out to handful of his offensive playmakers, and San Francisco closed out Week 4 with five pass catchers with 35-plus receiving yards on the day. Sunday's passing attack was marked by several deep ball connections including a 53-yarder to Samuel Sr., a 38-yarder to Brandon Aiyuk and 45 and 32-yarder to Jauan Jennings. Purdy also added to the ground game carrying the ball five times for 11 yards.
Defensive Line Shines
Following a season-ending triceps injury to defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, several players - from Jordan Elliott, Yetur Gross-Matos, Kevin Givens and Sam Okuayinonu - stepped up to fill the void on the interior of the 49ers D-line. Okuayinonu, who was called up from the practice squad, came up with the first splash play from the trenches, punching out the rock from Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson's hands for his first forced fumble in a 49ers uniform. Maliek Collins recovered the loose ball, and San Francisco's offense went on to turn the turnover into three points to close out the first quarter. Okuayinonu put the Patriots in another difficult third down situation in the second half with a sack of Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett for a loss of seven yards.
Givens was the next defensive lineman to come up with some impact plays, getting home on Brissett two and half times in the second quarter. Sack No. 1 and 2 came on the fourth defensive series, creating a second-and-long and third-and-long situation New England was not able to convert. The Patriots ended up going for it on fourth down and failed, surrendering their possession to San Francisco at the 20 yard line. Givens split another sack of Brissett in the final minutes of the second half. Collins would also add another takedown before heading to halftime, sacking Brissett for a loss of 12 yards on New England's final possession of the second quarter. Evan Anderson and Nick Bosa added one more sack each to bring the defensive line's total for the day to six sacks.
Best in the World Fred Warner
The 49ers All-Pro linebacker continued his 2024 tear against the Patriots, securing his second-career pick-six to start the second quarter. Warner high-pointed a pass from Brissett intended for wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and went coast-to-coast for the 45-yard touchdown. The defensive score extended San Francisco's lead to 13-0 with 14:01 left before the half. The interception was the first thrown by the Patriots this season.
A Perfect Kicking Day in the Bay
Kicking opportunities came early for second-year Jake Moody in Week 4 with the 49ers first and second offensive series ending with field goal attempts from 22 yards and 26 yards out. He sailed both through the uprights and added one more 41-yard field goal made in the fourth quarter and nailed all three of his extra point attempts.
George Kittle Can't Be Stopped
After sitting out of Week 3 with a hamstring injury, Kittle returned to the field in time to help the 49ers take on the Patriots. The veteran tight end contributed, as he always does, to the blocking, and additionally, caught every pass thrown his way. He racked up four catches for 45 yards and touchdown in the second quarter. Kittle's 15-yard touchdown reception in triple coverage capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive in which the 49ers had two other touchdowns called back on account of penalties.
Injuries of the Game
