SANTA CLARA — This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 4 home game against the New England Patriots. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from the press box.
12:15 Here are the 49ers’ inactives: Talanoa Hufanga, Ronnie Bell, Ben Bartch, Darrell Luter Jr. and Joshua Dobbs.
12:16 Despite the absence of Hufanga, I believe the 49ers defense should perform well today against the Patriots. That’s because New England has a one-dimensional offense. All they do well is run the ball. If the 49ers load the box and shut down their ground attack, they’ll win.
On the other side of the ball, the Patriots defense does well against the run but not against the pass. That’s because their pass rush is pedestrian and their coverage isn’t anything special. Which means the 49ers should be able to play-action pass them to death. The Patriots have to honor the threat of Jordan Mason because he’s a terrific running back, but the 49ers’ best weapons are their receivers. And the 49ers simply have too many good ones for the Patriots to handle.
I expect the 49ers to make a major statement in this game by winning 30-10. If they win a close game, they can’t say they’re still a dominant team, although a win always is a win. But the Patriots are no good. They have no business beating the 49ers or keeping this game close. Let’s see if the 49ers can take care of business at home.
1:03 The 49ers win the toss and defer. The Patriots will receive the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
1:12 On 3rd and 3 from the 49ers 41, Jacoby Brissett throws an incomplete pass over the middle instead of scrambling up the middle. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 7. Malik Mustapha missed a tackle on 3rd and 6 earlier which extended the drive.
1:28 On 3rd and goal from the 4, Purdy throws an incomplete pass intended for Jauan Jennings who ran an out and up. Next play, Jake Moody makes a 22-yard field goal. Purdy converted three third downs on that drive — two by scrambling and one by running out of the pocket to his left before throwing to George Kittle. Brandon Aiyuk also caught a 38-yard pass off play action against zone coverage.
49ers 3, Patriots 0.
1:32 First play of the drive, Sam Okuayinonu strips the ball from Rhamondre Stevenson and Maliek Collins recovers.
1:36 On 3rd and 4 from the 8, Purdy avoids a sack, scrambles to his right and throws a pass intended for Deebo Samuel that’s broken up by Patriots cornerback Marco Wilson. Next play, Moody makes a 26-yard field goal. The 49ers red-zone offense hasn’t been good so far.
49ers 6, Patriots 0.
SECOND QUARTER
1:43 On 3rd and 5 from the Patriots 35, Brissett forces a pass over the middle and gets picked off by Fred Warner who returns the ball for a touchdown. That was one of the best plays of his career.
49ers 13, Patriots 0.
1:59 On 4th and 1 from the 49ers 20, Ji’Ayir Brown tackles Rhamondre Stevenson after no gain and the Patriots turn the ball over on downs. The 49ers defense has outplayed the 49ers offense so far.
2:12 On 3rd and 10 from the Patriots 12, Purdy throws a touchdown pass to George Kittle who catches the ball over three defenders in the back left corner in the end zone. Incredible catch.
49ers 20, Patriots 0.
2:21 On 3rd and 2 from the Patriots 38, Kevin Givens strips the ball from Brissett and the Patriots recover. Next play, the Patriots punt. The 49ers take over at their 14 with 1:43 left.
2:28 On 3rd and 15 from the 8, Brock Purdy takes a hit as he throws the ball away, and the 49ers go three and out. After the punt, the Patriots take over at the 49ers’ 40 with 38 seconds left.
2:39 The Patriots make a 63-yard field goal as time expires.
49ers 20, Patriots 3.
2:40 The 49ers just announced that George Kittle has a rib injury and Fred Warner has an ankle injury and both are questionable to return.
THIRD QUARTER
2:52 Isaac Guerendo fumbles the kickoff and the Patriots recover at the 49ers 27.
2:55 On 4th and 1 from the 49ers 5, Brissett fakes a handoff, rolls left and throws a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper. And just like that, the 49ers let New England back into the game. Fred Warner was not on the field during that drive.
49ers 20, Patriots 10.
3:02 First play of the drive, Purdy throws a 53-yard deep pass down the middle of the field to Deebo Samuel. Three plays later, Jordan Mason scored a four-yard rushing touchdown. That was easy.
49ers 27, Patriots 10.
3:09 On 3rd and 12 from the Patriots 49, Leonard Floyd hits Brissett as he throws a ground to no one in particular. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 12.
3:20 On 3rd and 5 from the 49ers 28, Purdy throws an incomplete pass intended for Aiyuk running a shallow cross. After the punt, the Patriots take over at their 41.
3:27 On 3rd and 16 from the Patriots 35, Stevenson drops a screen pass. New England is just so bad. They punt, and Kyle Juszczyk returns it nine yards to the 17-yard line.
3:32 On 3rd and 18 from the 49ers 33, Purdy checks down to Samuel who gains 3 yards. After the punt, the Patriots take over at their 32.
FOURTH QUARTER
3:43 The Patriots make a 54-yard field goal to cut the 49ers’ lead to two scores.
49ers 27, Patriots 13.
3:47 On 2nd and 8 from the Patriots 23, Purdy forces a pass to Brandon Aiyuk who’s double covered in the end zone and gets intercepted. Terrible decision.
3:53 On 4th and 5 from the Patriots 36, Brissett throws a deep pass that gets caught out of bounds, and New England turns the ball over on downs.
4:00 On 3rd and 10 from the Patriots 22, Purdy throws another incomplete pass intended for Aiyuk. Then Moody makes a 41-yard field goal.
49ers 30, Patriots 13.
4:06 On 3rd and 6 from the 49ers’ 14, Nick Bosa strips the ball from Brissett and recovers it. Stay tuned for the 49ers’ grades.
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