Maiocco’s observations: Purdy fuels the 49ers’ comeback win against the Pats

Maiocco’s Observations: Purdy fuels 49ers’ comeback win over Pats originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX score

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers had two touchdowns wiped out by penalties and another special teams error.

Although the 49ers ended their two-game losing streak with a 30-13 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, the performance was far from perfect.

Quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Jordan Mason provided plenty of offense, and the defense didn’t give the Patriots’ offense much breathing room en route to a Week 4 win at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers went 20-0 and were never in real danger as they evened their record to 2-2 in the 2024 NFL season.

Here are the key takeaways from the 49ers’ victory over the rebuilding Patriots:

Attack looks different

Deebo Samuel returned to the starting lineup, and not in his usual role.

When the 49ers opened the game on Sunday, they had three wide receivers in action. Only Samuel was lined up in the backfield, carrying the ball in a traditional running play. But the rest of the day belonged to Mason, who gained 123 yards on 24 carries and scored a touchdown.

Quarterback Brock Purdy managed to distribute the ball while completing 15 of 27 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown with one interception. His passer rating was 89.7.

This all came when Samuel and George Kittle were back on the field. A week earlier, wide receiver Jauan Jennings accounted for nearly all of the 49ers’ offense with 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

After the 49ers settled for field goals on their first two possessions, Purdy got the 49ers into the end zone and led 20-0 with 3:18 left in the first half.

The 49ers had two touchdowns canceled due to penalties early in the drive. Kittle’s holding penalty negated Purdy’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Mason, and an illegal shift negated Purdy’s 12-yard scoring strike to fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

San Francisco finally put the points away on Kittle’s leaping 12-yard TD catch between three New England defenders.

The 49ers closed the game with a four-play, 70-yard touchdown drive early in the third quarter after the Patriots had gotten within 20-10. Purdy hit Samuel with a 53-yard pass and three plays later Mason took him into the end zone on a 4-yard run.

Warner ensures a groundbreaking game

The 49ers’ offense finished 0-for-2 in its first two appearances inside the red zone.

All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner provided the 49ers’ best offense early in the game when he intercepted Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s pass with long-range catches, got up and ran 45 yards to the end zone.

However, Warner suffered an ankle injury late in the first half and did not return to action in the second half. Warner stood on the 49ers sideline and took an active role in supporting his teammates.

But even with half a day of work, Warner had a big impact on this game.

With the 49ers leading 6-0, he dropped to the middle of the field and leapt to catch Brissett’s throw intended for wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.

Warner scrambled to his feet, picking up a few blocks along the way. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown and cornerback Charvarius Ward interfered with Brissett, and Warner slid into the end zone despite Antonio Gibson trying to force him out of bounds near the goal line.

Warner continues his remarkable start to the season as he had two interceptions, three forced fumbles and a sack in the first four games.

Making up the deficit for Hargrave

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely out for the season with a torn triceps. The 49ers moved up several players on their defensive line in his absence on Sunday.

Kevin Givens didn’t start, but he had his best day as a pro. He had 5.5 sacks in 60 games early in his career, but he tied his career high with 2.5 sacks in the first half and Maliek Collins added 1.5 sacks.

Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, whom the 49ers promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, forced a fumble that Collins recovered in the first quarter. The 49ers got the takeaway for a field goal.

The 49ers defensive line had a strong performance in the run game. Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson gained just 43 yards on 13 carries and lost a fumble.

The Patriots also struggled in the passing game, as Brissett completed just 19 of 32 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

New England’s only touchdown came early in the second half after Isaac Guerendo deflected the first kickoff and the Patriots recovered the loose ball at the 27-yard line. Brissett capped the five-play touchdown drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper.

It wasn’t all good news for the 49ers’ defense, however.

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who replaced Hargrave in the starting lineup, suffered a knee injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game early in the second half.