49ers topple Patriots 30-13; Six takeaways from #NEvsSF

Brock Purdy followed up his standout performance in Week 3 with another solid performance against New England. In his 25th NFL start, the third-year QB1 completed 15 of 27 pass attempts for 288 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Purdy distributed the ball to a handful of his offensive playmakers, and San Francisco finished Week 4 with five pass catchers and over 35 receiving yards on the day. Sunday’s passing attack featured several deep connections, including a 53-yarder to Samuel Sr., a 38-yarder to Brandon Aiyuk and a 45- and 32-yarder to Jauan Jennings. Purdy also contributed to the game on the ground, carrying the ball five times for 11 yards.

After a season-ending triceps injury to defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, several players — including 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, made the first splash play from the trenches, knocking the rock out of the hands of Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson for his first forced fumble in a 49ers uniform. Maliek Collins recovered the loose ball and the San Francisco offense turned the turnover into three points to end the first quarter. Okuayinonu put the Patriots in another difficult third-down situation in the second half with a sack on Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett for a loss of seven yards.

Givens was the next defensive lineman to come up with some impactful plays, picking off Brissett two and a half times in the second quarter. Sacks Nos. 1 and 2 came on the fourth defensive series, creating a second-and-long and third-and-long situation that New England was unable to convert. The Patriots finally tried on fourth down and failed, handing possession to San Francisco at the 20-yard line. In the final minutes of the second half, Givens split another sack from Brissett. Collins added another takedown before halftime, sacking Brissett for a loss of 12 yards on New England’s final possession of the second quarter. Evan Anderson and Nick Bosa each added another sack, bringing the defensive line’s total to six sacks on the day.

The best in the world Fred Warner

The 49ers’ All-Pro linebacker continued his 2024 success against the Patriots, securing his second career pick-six early in the second quarter. Warner lofted a pass from Brissett intended for wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and ran coast-to-coast for the 45-yard touchdown. The defensive score extended San Francisco’s lead to 13-0 with 14:01 left before halftime. The interception was the first thrown by the Patriots this season.

A perfect kick day in the bay

In Week 4, sophomore Jake Moody had early shooting opportunities as the 49ers’ first and second offensive series ended with field goal attempts from 22 yards and 26 yards. He sailed both through the uprights and added another 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter and hit all three of his extra point attempts.

George Kittle Can’t be stopped

After missing Week 3 with a hamstring injury, Kittle returned to the field in time to help the 49ers face the Patriots. The veteran tight end, as always, contributed blocking and also caught every pass that came his way. He had four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter. Kittle’s 15-yard touchdown reception in triple coverage capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive that saw the 49ers recover two more touchdowns due to penalties.

• TE George Kittle (ribs) – Listed as questionable at halftime, returned on the second offensive series in the third quarter
• LB Fred Warner (ankle) – listed as questionable at halftime, did not return
• DL Jordan Elliott (knee) – demoted to out in the third quarter
• WR Jacob Cowing (shoulder) – questionable to return in third quarter, returned to game
• WR Chris Conley (oblique)
• FB Kyle Juszczyk (shoulder)