George Kittle of the 49ers makes an acrobatic 12-yard touchdown catch

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – After a penalty kill wiped out two offensive touchdowns, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle finally hit the ground running with one of the most acrobatic catches of his career against the Patriots.

Two penalties, including a hold call on Kittle that negated a catch-and-run score by running back Jordan Mason, gave the Niners a third-and-10 from New England’s 12.

During the play, quarterback Brock Purdy escaped the pressure and threw a pass into the back corner of the end zone. Kittle ran over three Patriots defenders, caught the ball and managed to control it all the way to catch the ball and score. The extra point made the 49ers 20-0 with 3:11 left in the first half.

OH MY GEORGE. @gkittle46

📺: #NEvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/uHeyTzJqF2

– NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024

The 49ers needed a boost after the Patriots scored 10 straight points to cut their lead in half, and they got it quickly. Purdy hit receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. for a 53-yard gain on the Niners’ first offensive play of the half and Mason did the rest.

After a 13-yard catch, Mason easily scored from 4 yards out down the left side, extending San Francisco’s lead back to 27-10 with 10:08 left in the third quarter.

Jordan Mason 🤝 End zone

📺: #NEvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ahI493UMpE

– NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024