San Francisco 49ers vs. New England Patriots Week 4 Live Blog

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 regularly 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 Hufanga’s absence, I believe the 49ers defense should perform well today against the Patriots. That’s because New England has a one-dimensional offense. All they’re good at is running the ball. If the 49ers load the box and stop their ground attack, they will 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 rush is limited to pedestrians and their coverage is nothing special. That means the 49ers should be able to kill them in game play. The Patriots have to respect the threat of Jordan Mason because he’s a great running back, but the 49ers’ best weapons are their receivers. And the 49ers just have too many good ones for the Patriots to handle.

I expect the 49ers to make a big statement in this game with a 30-10 win. If they win a close game, they can’t say they are still a dominant team, although a win is always a win. But the Patriots are not 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 are eliminated. The Patriots receive the opening kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

1:12 On third-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 7th. Malik Mustapha missed a tackle on 3rd and 6 earlier, which extended the drive.

1:28 On 3rd-and-goal from 4th, Purdy throws an incomplete pass intended for Jauan Jennings, who made an out-and-up. On the next play, Jake Moody scored 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 from play against zone coverage.

49ers 3, Patriots 0.

1:32 On the first play of the drive, Sam Okuayinonu takes 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, which is deflected by Patriots cornerback Marco Wilson. On the next play, Moody scores a 26-yard field goal. The 49ers’ offense in the red zone 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 is intercepted 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 fourth-and-1 at the 49ers 20, Ji’Ayir Brown tackles Rhamondre Stevenson after a no-gain and the Patriots turn the ball over on downs. The 49ers defense has outperformed 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 of the end zone. Incredible catch.

49ers 20, Patriots 0.

2:21 On third-and-2 from the Patriots 38, Kevin Givens takes the ball away from Brissett and the Patriots recover. Next play: Patriots punt. The 49ers take over on their 14th with 1:43 left.

2:28 On 3rd-and-15 from the 8, Brock Purdy gets hit as he throws the ball away and the 49ers have a three and go out of bounds. After the punt, the Patriots take over the 49ers’ 40 with 38 seconds left.

2:39 The Patriots score 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 botches the kickoff and the Patriots recover at the 49ers’ 27th line.

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 so the 49ers let New England back into the game. Fred Warner was not on the field during this drive.

49ers 20, Patriots 10.

3:02 On the first play of the drive, Purdy throws a 53-yard 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 at the Patriots 49, Leonard hits Floyd Brissett while not throwing a ground to anyone. After the punt, the 49ers take over on their 12th.

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 41st.

3:27 On 3rd-and-16 at 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 of the 49ers’ 33rd, Purdy checks to Samuel, who gains 3 yards. After the punt, the Patriots take over on their 32nd.

FOURTH QUARTER

3:43 The Patriots make a 54-yard field goal, cutting the 49ers’ lead to two points.

49ers 27, Patriots 13.

3:47 On 2nd-and-8 from the Patriots 23, Purdy forces a pass to Brandon Aiyuk, who is double-covered in the end zone and intercepted. Terrible decision.

3:53 On 4th-and-5 of the Patriots’ 36th, Brissett throws a deep pass that goes 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 at the 49ers’ 14, Nick Bosa takes the ball from Brissett and retrieves it. Stay tuned for the 49ers’ grades.