Five takeaways from the Patriots’ blowout loss to the 49ers

The New England Patriots suffered their second straight loss, falling to the San Francisco 49ers 30-13 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

The Patriots, who finished with 216 yards of offense, fell to 1-3. The Niners, who doubled New England’s yards per game (7.2 to 3.5), improved to 2-2.

Here are five takeaways after the battle-filled performance:

Worrying reaction
There were brief glimpses. Despite struggles on offense, the red zone defense kept things within reach early on. There was a brief period where the Patriots gained momentum as they also trailed 20-10. But all in all, it was a disappointing reaction for Jerod Mayo and Co., who had ten days to prepare and get back on their feet after their primetime failure. A competitive game would have brought a lot to the new regime. However, New England was not competitive. It was over before the start of the second half. And the performance more or less confirmed that the Patriots are closer to the team they were in Week 3 than the team they were in Weeks 1 and 2.

Jacoby Brissett doesn’t deserve to keep his job, but he still might
The veteran quarterback traveled to the Bay Area without having done anything to lose his starting job. In three games, Brissett (19 of 32, 168 yards, touchdown, interception) avoided bad plays despite the struggles of the offensive line in front of him. That wasn’t the case with the Niners. Brissett’s first interception of the season came on a pick-six from Fred Warner, giving the Niners a 13-0 lead less than a minute into the second quarter. Brissett had time and a wide-open DeMario Douglas before telegraphing his pass over the middle. Brissett had more negative plays at Levi’s Stadium than in any other game this season. He took six sacks with him, most of which felt bad after a while. He missed the receivers and the passing game – 144 yards passing, 3.8 yards per pass – was not successful. Brissett did nothing to keep his starting spot. And that’s why the calls for rookie Drake Maye are getting louder.

Bone-marking errors
The Patriots are not a team built to play from behind, as their game against the New York Jets in Week 3 showed. Well, New England had no choice but to do it on Sunday. Rhamondre Stevenson’s fourth fumble of the season gave the Niners the ball at the New England 30-yard line late in the first quarter. San Fran was held to a field goal. Brissett’s interception then came on the next possession, giving the hosts a two-possession lead. The Niners took a 20-0 lead on a ridiculous touchdown catch by George Kittle with 3:11 left in the first half. Ball game.

The number of injuries continues to increase
The Patriots started their fourth left tackle in as many games with Chukwuma Okorafor out, Vederian Lowe injured and rookie Caedan Wallace injured/demoted. Patriots captain David Andrews then left the game with a shoulder injury after an offensive drive. He didn’t return. Fellow starters, including safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Wallace (ankle), were carted off the field later in the first half and also did not return.

Silver lining? Special teams
New England didn’t have an advantage on offense, but it did have an advantage on special teams. Patriots kicker Joey Slye hit a 62-yard field goal at the end of the first half to put the visitors on the field. Slye also converted a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Christian Elliss recovered a 49ers fumble on the second half kickoff. It set the Patriots up at the San Fran 27-yard line and eventually led to a five-play scoring drive capped by Austin Hooper’s touchdown.