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The Patriots take on the 49ers in Santa Clara

The Patriots take on the 49ers in Santa Clara

Patriots

Can the Patriots rebound from a miserable loss to the Jets on Thursday night and get back to .500? Follow here.

Jacoby Brissett high-fives his teammates. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo

  • NFL Insider: Drake Maye is “still a long way away” from starting for the Patriots

  • 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan praises Alex Van Pelt for an important aspect of the Patriots’ offense

Despite a 24-3 loss to the Jets on Thursday Night Football in their last game, the Patriots (1-2) are one win away from a .500 record.

They will try to rebound Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against the 49ers, who lost in the Super Bowl last year. The game will be televised on Fox (WFXT-TV 25) and 98.5. The Sports Hub broadcasts the radio broadcast.

The Patriots’ pass protection woes reached new levels last week when the team gave up seven sacks in his NFL debut, including two on rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that Maye is still “a long way away” from taking over as the Patriots’ starter as the Patriots have not yet begun the “ramp-up process” for him.

The Patriots, who are averaging a league-worst 102 yards per game with Jacoby Brissett under center, will look to keep up with one of the league’s most potent passing attacks. San Francisco enters the game ranked No. 1 in passing yards (267.7) per game.

New England’s offensive line will be shorthanded without left tackle Vederian Lowe (knee) and offensive guard Michael Jordan (ankle). Offensive guard Sidy Sow, who missed the first three weeks of the season, is considered questionable. He told Boston.com he hasn’t suffered any setbacks and expects to be able to play on Sunday. Cornerback Alex Austin (ankle) was placed on injured reserve and the Patriots added Isaiah Bolden to the 53-man roster as a backup.

The 49ers will be without star running back Christian McCaffrey and two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, both of whom were placed on injured reserve.

The 49ers have plenty of star power even without McCaffrey, including quarterback Brock Purdy, receiver Brandon Aiyuk and defensive lineman Nick Bosa.

As the Patriots attempt to climb back to .500 for the first time since 2019, check out Chad Finn’s unconventional preview along with 5 things to keep in mind in this matchup.

Find live updates during the game as well as post-game observations, analysis and insights.