49ers dominate Patriots from start to finish at Levi’s
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle catches a touchdown pass in 2nd quarter against New England Patriots during NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, September 29, 2024.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle
2024.09.29 – 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw a touchdown pass to George Kittle, Fred Warner returned an interception for a score and San Francisco bounced back dominating the New England Patriots 30-13 at Levi’s stadium on Sunday.
The confidence took a hit for the 49ers after losses on the road the past two weeks at Minnesota and against the Los Angeles Rams, plus injuries to several key players.
But the Niners found their footing quickly back at home against the struggling Patriots (1-3). The defense delivered six sacks and a touchdown in the first game since losing Javon Hargrave to a potentially season-ending injury, Purdy hit three deep passes and Jordan Mason rushed for 123 for his third 100-yard rushing game in four weeks.
“We needed it,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “It was more than just going 2-2 on the season. It was something for the confidence.”
“It feels good to get a win,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “It’s such a long year. If you look from an outsider’s perspective or looked online you’d think the building’s burning down. But I told the d-line guys in our meeting last night that we’ve lost some guys, but I haven’t lost confidence in this group.”
2024.09.29 (NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers) Game Highlights
San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner returns an interception for a touchdown in 2nd quarter against New England Patriots during NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, September 29, 2024.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle
2024.09.29 (NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers) Game Highlights – (CD-Highlights)
2024.09.29 (NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers) Game Highlights – (CD-Highlights)
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
San Francisco got field goals from Jake Moody on the opening two drives before Warner delivered his latest big play of the season, making a diving interception against Jacoby Brissett and returning it 45 yards for his second career TD. Warner has three forced fumbles and two interceptions through four games this season.
“He’s been so good every year,” Kyle Shanahan said of Warner. “But the way he’s started out this year, it’s been a big-time year for him.”
Warner seems to be playing at about 100 mph this season. It’s early but, right now, he’s a leader in the Defensive Player of the Year race. He’s been a force for years, but seems to have elevated his game ever further this season with 21 solo and 34 combined tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
“I’m just trying to do my best, whatever that takes for the team,” he said. “That play today, I’ve been talking about that for weeks now.
“Coach (Brandon) Staley does a great job — and he’s made it an emphasis that if you score on defense, you have about a 100 percent chance of winning the game. So I’m like, we’ve got to score on D. Obviously we won and we’ve got to keep it going.”
Richard Sherman posted on social media “All-Pro @fred_warner the DPOY front runner with another INT! This time a pick-6! Not sure anyone playing better on the Defensive side right now.”
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
Brock Purdy (13) scrambles for a gain in the first half as the San Francisco 49ers played the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (NBC Sports Post Game)
The 49ers still have problems and, while a win over New England improved their record to 2-2 and moved them ahead of the Rams and Cardinals (both now 1-3), the victory didn’t necessarily prove anything about what kind of team they will be. They still have injury problems. They still have special team problems.
It was the first interception of the season for the Patriots, who have been unable to get any consistent passing game generated with Brissett at quarterback, which will lead to more questions about when rookie Drake Maye will take over.
Brissett went 19 for 32 for 168 yards and was sacked six times for 25 yards. New England has been held under 150 yards passing in each of the first four games of the season for the first time since 1971.
“At this point, Jacoby is our starting quarterback,” coach Jerod Mayo said. “I haven’t watched any film or anything like that. He’s been a great leader. … We’ve got to watch the film. We’ve got a long flight to go back and watch the film and we’re always evaluating every single position.”
Purdy hit several deep passes on the day for San Francisco on the way to throwing for 288 yards, with his TD coming to Kittle.
The Niners were held to field goals on their first two drives after getting inside the 10 and looked like they might have to settle for one again late in the second quarter after penalties wiped out two potential touchdowns.
But then Purdy threw a high pass up for grabs that Kittle leaped to grab between three defenders for his second touchdown of the season to make it 20-0.
“I saw him break out. I was getting hit so I was like, ‘I have to give my guy a shot here and give him a chance,’” Purdy said. “I put it up for him. He made a great play, way better than the throw. He made the play.”
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers’ Head coach Kyle Shanahan walking to the locker room after beating the New England Patriots during NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, September 29, 2024.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2024.09.29 – NE Patriots vs. SF 49ers (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
San Francisco allowed a 63-yard field goal by Joey Slye on the final play of the first half and then rookie Isaac Guerendo lost a fumble on the opening kick of the second half in the latest special teams blunder for the 49ers.
That set up Brissett’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper that made it 20-10.
Purdy answered with a 53-yard pass to Deebo Samuel on the next drive, setting up Mason’s 4-yard run that put San Francisco back in control with a 27-10 lead.
INJURIES
Patriots: C David Andrews (shoulder), OT Caedan Wallace (ankle) and S Kyle Dugger (ankle) all left the game in the first half and didn’t return.
49ers: Warner left the game late in the first half with an ankle injury and didn’t return. …. DT Jordan Elliott (knee) also got hurt in the first half.
UP NEXT
Patriots: Host Miami on Sunday.
49ers: Host Arizona on Sunday.
Related: Rams late rally pass 49ers to a win at SOFI
Related: See below – 49ers rally to beat Lions and secure Super Bowl trip
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
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