NFL Week 4: Instant analysis of the Patriots’ 30-13 loss to the 49ers

The New England Patriots traveled to the West Coast as double-digit underdogs.

Head coach Jerod Mayo’s team couldn’t survive the forecast on Sunday afternoon and narrowly lost to the San Francisco 49ers 30:13.

Here’s a look back at what transpired at Levi’s Stadium as the calendar turns to October, October 1-3.

A week of getting the ball out of the hands of the beaten Brissett

Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt called it a “get the ball out of your hands week” against the 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. That proved to be the case for Jacoby Brissett on a Sunday he spent on the other side of the finish line with Nick Bosa.

The New England quarterback completed 19 of 32 passes for 168 yards against San Francisco. He found one touchdown and one interception. After the “12” team broke up the huddle, the first drive resulted in two first downs before the punt team intervened at midfield. The following series ended with a turnover on the floor. Perennial All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner added another score through the air with 13:59 left before halftime. His skyscraping interception on a dig route was returned for a touchdown from 35 yards out. The hit on the throw sent Brissett into a spotless fall.

The chains were moved by tight ends on the reacting drive. But the tough count went smoothly on the way to a turnover on downs. A strip sack brought it to a warning. More were planned. At halftime, the Patriots had 76 yards of offense on 30 plays. Then veteran Austin Hooper slid at the goal line on his first touchdown catch as a Patriot of the game. This shortened the game to 20-10. Meager.

The fourth tackle from the left starts for a line that loses its captain

Another week, another left tackle for the Patriots. With Chukwuma Okorafor on the left squad list, Vederian Lowe out and Caedan Wallace demoted from questionable, Demontrey Jacobs would be on the blind side. The fourth starter of the month there.

The August waiver claim was placed alongside returning left back Sidy Sow, who had not taken the field since the preseason finale due to an ankle injury. They were joined by center David Andrews, right guard Layden Robinson and right tackle Mike Onwenu. And Andrews went to the locker room after the first drive, which resulted in his first missed shots since 2022. The Ironman captain in the middle did not return due to a shoulder injury. Substitute Nick Leverett checked in at the pivot point.

The 49ers collected six sacks. Coming home 2.5 times would be Kevin Givens. Coming home 1.5 times would be Maliek Collins. And the aforementioned Bosa hit his one-on-one to bring teammate Evan Anderson into the column as San Francisco shot from the inside out. With 2:44 minutes left, No. 97 threw the ball to himself and got a sack of his own.

In the absence of Bentley and Jennings, the run is imminent

The Patriots placed Ja’Whaun Bentley on injured reserve ahead of the game with the reigning NFC champions. Without the linebacker, the captain and the green spot of the defense due to a torn pectoral muscle, tackling and communication had to be clear.

Neither had suffered a 24-3 loss the week before. To complicate Sunday’s sledding, starting outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings went from questionable to inactive due to a shoulder injury. The edges had to be adjusted evenly. They wouldn’t be.

Jordan Mason, whose touchdown catch was negated by a holding penalty, reached the end zone untouched after halftime when Joshua Uche ran beyond the arc. The rising defender from San Francisco totaled 123 yards on 24 carries, including 24 and 25 long throws. New England opened the afternoon without possession for Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan. Backup linebacker Christian Elliss filled in for both sides before he forced a fumble and was brought down by rookie kick returner Isaac Guerendo.

Target stays on Stevenson’s back as the fumble streak continues

Rhamondre Stevenson got a “target on the back” after fumbling in three straight games. It stayed there.

New England’s leading running back converted 13 handoffs into 43 yards against a San Francisco front that allowed 4.5 per carry. This included a whopping four-and-one and a loss of seven. He touched the ball four times in the opening series. But the next time there was a fourth mistake in four games. It was forced by 53-man reliever Sam Okuayinonu and brought back by the 49ers.

Antonio Gibson was at the scrum to start the next possession. The all-purpose defender was involved in six runs for a dozen yards by the end of the game. He added three catches for 67 yards and threw a low-field throw early in the fourth quarter before catching the next. A 50-yarder came down the stretch.

Rookie leads New England’s wide receiver room in targets

After leading the Patriots in scoring, DeMario Douglas couldn’t keep that trend going on Sunday. The slot receiver had 13 yards and a hook-and-ladder throw on third down was canceled out by a block in the background.

KJ Osborn added another reception. Ja’Lynn Polk started alongside him and finished the game with 30 yards on three catches and a team-high seven looks, including a back-shoulder snag of 21. The rookie from Washington later drew a defensive pass interference, which was closer to an interception as corresponds to a perfection. In the final minutes he also took advantage of the opportunity for the fourth and fifth rounds.

All six members of the depth chart were active again.

Purdy escapes containment 288 yards through the air

A former No. 262 pick faced the Patriots for the first time on Sunday. Brock Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 288 yards with one touchdown and one interception from there.

The 49ers starter extended the first drive twice with his legs. Deebo Samuel helped with a 53-yarder, unassisted after the safety. Brandon Aiyuk managed to break free from zone coverage for 38 in his first appearance. And fresh off a career outing that included 11 catches, 175 yards and a hat trick, Jauan Jennings scored 88 points for the receiver room, led by a surge of 45 that the Patriots couldn’t do anything about.

Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones started on the sidelines in the New England secondary. Marcus Jones accompanied them in the slot and deflected a pass into the end zone. And safe were captains Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers. The former acted as a signal-caller in defense, but left before halftime due to an ankle injury and was eliminated. Shortly afterwards, decorated tight end George Kittle ripped the ball away in the end zone for a third-and-10 touchdown. But in the end zone in the final quarter, Peppers made his first interception of 2024 for the Patriots.

Pass rush creates a sack

After four to two games, Keion White was unable to play in the sack column last week against the New York Jets. The Old Dominion and Georgia Tech product sat out Sunday as he was credited with two quarterback hits.

White anchored a Patriots starting defensive line with Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale on the interior. Containment proved to be a problem early and often. Multiple failed exchanges were not recovered from a unit that required a sudden change.

New England scored a sack on the struggling Mr. Irrelevant alum courtesy of twisted captain Deatrich Wise Jr.

From a franchise record to a bevy of inside-the-20 punts

Former 49ers backup Joey Slye returned as the Patriots’ incumbent on Sunday, converting his two field goals and his only extra point.

The experienced kicker equalized from 63 yards before halftime. It marked a long career and a new franchise record. He then struck from 54 yards out in the fourth quarter.

His owner also had an eventful afternoon. Bryce Baringer returned four punts for 196 yards at Santa Clara. A long of 61 was executed from his right leg, while each of his punts landed inside the opponent’s 20.