SANTA CLARA – Here is how the 49ers (2-2) graded in Sunday’s 30-13 win over the New England Patriots (1-3) at Levi’s Stadium:
San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws under pressure against New England Patriots’ Josh Uche (55) and New England Patriots’ Keion White (99) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
PASS OFFENSE: B+
Brock Purdy connected on deep shots to Deebo Samuel (53 yards), Jauan Jennings (45 yards) and, in not quite as vertical fashion, Brandon Aiyuk (38 yards), but his lone touchdown pass was a 12-yard lob that George Kittle magnificently skied to snatch above three defenders for a 20-0 lead. Purdy’s 55.6 completion percentage was his second-lowest of any career start (44.4% last year at Cleveland), yet he had his seventh-highest yards-per-attempt (10.7). His interception into the end zone came on a busted route and on a late throw. Playing through injuries were left tackle Trent Williams (toe), Samuel (calf), and, Kittle (Week 2 hamstring, then Sunday’s rib issue). Purdy got sacked just once, and often made magical escapes from the pocket, such as on a pair of third-down scrambles to extend the opening drive. Encouraging day for all.
San Francisco 49ers’ Jordan Mason (24) runs against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
RUN OFFENSE: A-
Jordan Mason took over the NFL rushing lead as his 123 yards gave him 447 yards through his first four career starts. Mason turned one of his 24 carries into a touchdown, a 4-yard burst that put the 49ers ahead 27-10. His final carry was a 25-yard sideline scamper that thrilled the offense and was reminiscent of his past seasons’ closer role. There were some big lanes to run through most of the day, except for Isaac Guerendo, who was stopped for no gain on his only carry. Samuel returned from a one-game hiatus with a calf strain and lined up as the starting running back; he had just two carries for 14 yards.
San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner (54) celebrates a turnover on downs against the New England Patriots in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
PASS DEFENSE: A
Warner’s second-career pick-six set this rout in motion, and his determination to score on that 45-yard return only further reflects his NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidacy. Jacoby Brissett is a big body who proved hard to bring down, yet he was a sitting duck behind a makeshift line and the 49ers notched six sacks. Nick Bosa got rewarded for his day’s work with a strip-sack fumble recovery in the final minutes. Interior linemen piled up sacks: Kevin Givens (2.5), Maliek Collins (1.5) and Evan Anderson (one). The secondary didn’t have Talanoa Hufanga (ankle), so Malik Mustapha made his …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
