Patriots-49ers Live Blog: Patriots Improve To 8-2 With 30-17 Win Over 49ers
By Matthew Geagan, CBS Boston
Final -- Patriots 30, 49ers 17 | Box Score
And that's all she wrote. The Patriots are now 8-2 on the season after a 30-17 win in Santa Clara.
It wasn't pretty and downright sloppy at times, but it's a win for the Patriots
Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns and 280 yards in his first game back home, picking up career win No. 199 in the process.
LeGarrette Blount rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries, and James White contributed with six catches for 63 yards. Rookie Malcolm Mitchell led the way for receivers, hauling in four of Brady's passes for 98 yards, including a huge 56-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
It was frustrating at times, but it's a win for the Pats. They'll next take on the New York Jets.
Stick with CBSBoston.com throughout the evening as we break it all down.
4th Quarter, 00:33: No cheap points for Blount owners, as Tom Brady takes a knee.
4th Quarter, 1:27: Eli Harold was just flagged for unnecessary roughness after bowling into a pile of bodies after the whistle had blown, giving San Francisco an even 10 penalties on the day.
It moves the Patriots closer to the end zone, as LeGarrette Blount fantasy owners salivate at the possibility of six cheap points.
4th Quarter, 1:40: In clock-eating mode, the Patriots are serving the Niners with a steady dose of LeGarrette Blount. He picked up 18 yards on a first down carry to give him 112 yards for the day. On 15 carries.
Not too shabby.
4th Quarter, 2:01 -- Patriots 30, 49ers 17
Kaepernick hit a wide open Shawn Draughn for a 13-yard touchdown, as Elandon Roberts couldn't catch up to him out of the backfield.
But New England was able to recover the onsides kick, so you should be safe adding this one to the win column.
4th Quarter, 2:10: The Patriots had too many men on the field, so they had to burn their first timeout. They're just prolonging everyone from getting on with the rest of their Sunday evening.
4th Quarter, 3:18: Another third down conversion for San Fran, though this one is a little fluky. Kaepernick scrambled, and then threw across his body to hit Chris Harper in the middle of the field for a 16-yard gain to the New England 27. Malcolm Butler didn't time his jump well and let Harper come down with the grab.
4th Quarter, 4:48: The defense is getting a little sloppy again. Kaepernick picked up 14 yards on a 3rd-and-4 scramble (San Fran had been 2-for-11 on third down prior to that pickup). Then the D let Kaepernick escape some pressure and hit Carlos Hyde for nine yards. McCourty was able to trip up the back, who could have taken it for a lengthy gain if not.
4th Quarter, 6:11 -- Patriots 30, 49ers 10
A 38-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski gives the Patriots a 20-point lead with just over six minutes to go.
Brady hit Edelman for a 21-yard pickup on first down, and then the receiver picked up 13 yards on a pair of end around carries. The drive stalled a bit after, but the Pats were able to add to their lead on an easy kick by Gostkowski.
4th Quarter, 9:16: Carlos Hyde picked up a yard on first down, but that was it for the 49ers offense. Kaepernick went incomplete to Kerley on second down, a pass that was nearly picked by Logan Ryan. The QB's third down bid for Patton also fell incomplete, also defending by Ryan.
The D has had their struggles, and it is the 49ers they're playing, but that unit has done a good job this afternoon.
4th Quarter, 10:06 -- Patriots 27, 49ers 10
Tom Brady pulled off a Houdini of a play on a 3rd-and-8, scrambling away from some pressure, and then threaded the needle to rookie Malcolm Mitchell. The rookie receiver took care of the rest on an incredible catch-and-run, and the end result was a 56-yard score that puts the Patriots on top 27-10.
Brady, who was hit after the throw, is now up to 262 passing yards and four touchdowns on the afternoon. It's his 26th career four-touchdown game. His hometown fans love that, serenading him with another "Brady!" chant.
4th Quarter, 10:58: A Brady-to-White connection on third down was going to be close, but an offsides on San Francisco moves the chains for New England. Those are the kinds of plays you see from a team that has lost eight straight.
Some bad news for the Patriots though, as special teams extraordinaire Matthew Slater has been ruled out for the rest of this one with a foot injury.
4th Quarter, 11:56: Brady went deep to Edelman on first down, but they were one Edelman big toe away from a lengthy completion. The receiver made the catch and got one foot in bounds, but the tip of his second foot was on the white, so it'll go in the books as an incomplete pass. That duo is now 0-for-5 on deep attempts.
That's the 15th time Brady has gone to Edelman today. James White is next with six targets.
4th Quarter, 12:01: The Patriots get some pressure on Kaepernick, and he's forced to throw away on a 3rd-and-13 before Chris Long can get to him for a big loss.
It was 3rd-and-13 before Chip Kelly went with an option on second down, and Kaepernick was hit by Trey Flowers for a three-yard loss.
The Pats will take over at their own 30 when play resumes.
4th Quarter, 13:16: The Patriots can't eat much clock as they go 3-and-out rather quickly.
Blount picked up a yard on a first down carry, but that was it. Brady went incomplete to Dion Lewis on second down, and his third down bid for Edelman was a little too strong.
So instead of killing some clock with a lengthy drive, the Patriots give it right back to the 49ers.
4th Quarter, 13:57: A quick 3-and-out for the 49ers, as Eric Rowe knocks a deep third down pass away from Kerley. The New England corner may have gotten away with an illegal contact, but the ball was a little underthrown by Kaepernick.
The Pats will take over at their own 30 after Cyrus Jones couldn't get anything going on the ensuing punt.
4th Quarter, 14:55 -- Patriots 20, 49ers 10
One play into the game's final frame and the Patriots are back on the scoreboard. Brady did some dancing, alluded a pair of potential sacks and found Danny Amendola in the back of the end zone. There was pressure coming from the right side, but Brady pulled off a nice spin move.
It wasn't pretty, but right now the Patriots will take any points they can get. The crowd also really likes Tom Brady.
After essentially going two quarters without putting up any points, the Patriots drive 80 yards on 10 plays over 4:21 to up their lead to 10 points.
The rain is all but gone as well. So this one might open up a bit more.
End 3rd Quarter -- Patriots 13, 49ers 10
This one is flying, and the Patriots are threatening to find the end zone as we hit the end of the third quarter.
3rd Quarter, 00:35: Brady was nearly sacked on 3rd-and-2, but was able to get rid of the ball and float it up to Edelman for a 13-yard pickup.
3rd Quarter, 1:58: Even bigger play as Brady buys some time with a scramble, and hits James White for a 14-yard gain on the left sideline.
3rd Quarter, 3:15: HUGE play by rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who catches a 21-yard pass from Brady over the middle to move the chains on 3rd-and-9.
3rd Quarter, 3:28: San Francisco bit hard on a second down play action to Blount, but Brady missed Edelman deep downfield.
3rd Quarter, 4:16: The Pats dodge a big one, as Kaepernick hit McDonald for a 24-yard gain to get them to the New England 46. It looked like the 49ers were set up to at least tie this one up, but a fumbled snap led to no gain on the very next play.
Kaepernick went to McDonald over the middle a few plays later on 3rd-and-9, but the pass was behind the tight end and the 49ers had to punt.
The Pats will take over at their own 20 after a touchdown on the ensuing punt. It's time for the offense to do their job and find the end zone after scoring no points on their last five possessions.
3rd Quarter, 6:57: You'd never know the 49ers came into this one with the worst defense in the NFL.
Brady went looking for Edelman on 3rd-and-7, but his pass over the middle fell incomplete as a pair of 49ers were all over the receiver. It seems like Brady is relying a little too heavily on Edelman in this one.
So the Patriots can't take advantage of the 20 free yards they got off the 49ers miscues. They're really not doing themselves any favors on offense.
3rd Quarter, 8:16: Brady was just strip sacked on 2nd-and-9, but was able to recover his own fumble.
And it didn't matter anyways, as a defensive holding on San Francisco gives the Pats five yards and an automatic first down.
The 49ers bench also got an unsportsmanlike penalty, costing them another 15 yards. It was their second warning, so this time they got flagged.
3rd Quarter, 9:02: In need of a couple of yards to move the chains, Brady took it himself after no one could get open and he falls forward for the first down.
3rd Quarter, 10:58: San Francisco picked up a first down, but are forced to punt after a nice third down play by Logan Ryan. He was all over Jeremy Kerley, and was able to keep Kaepernick's 3rd-and-3 bid out of his hands.
Nate Ebner was flagged for an illegal block on the ensuing punt that cost the Patriots 10 yards on Amendola's return. The Pats will start at their own 19.
3rd Quarter, 13:28: Nothing doing for the Patriots offense on their first possession of the second half, as they quickly go three-and-out.
Blount was hit for no gain on first down, and Brady's deep bid to Edelman fell incomplete as the QB felt some heavy pressure in the pocket. Brady and White hooked up for a seven-yard reception on third down, but it wasn't enough and the Pats had to punt the ball away.
San Francisco is doing a good job keeping Martellus Bennett out of this one. He has no receptions, and the only time Brady threw his way was on a play negated by a defense.
The 49ers will take over at their own 20 when play resumes.
3rd Quarter, 15:00: It is pouring as the teams get ready to kick off the second half. Get ready for lots of LeGarrtte Blount.
Halftime -- Patriots 13, 49ers 10
No field goal attempt. No big play to find the end zone. Brady hit James White for 24 yards to end the half, but no points go on the board so that only matters for fantasy owners.
This is a frustrating one after a promising start, as the Pats lead by just three points. A big Nate Solder hold erased a long touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount that would have put New England on top 21-3. Instead, they now find themselves in a rock fight in a rainy Santa Clara.
Tom Brady completed 12 of his 17 passes for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns -- one to Julian Edelman to get the scoring started and the other to James White. Blount has 61 rushing yards on seven carries, and Dion Lewis has 17 yards on a pair of carries to go with 18 receiving yards on a pair of catches.
But despite the Patriots defense sacking him five times, Colin Kaepernick has completed eight of his nine passes for 116 yards and a score.
This is much closer than it has to be.
2nd Quarter, 00:01: After Brady hit Edelman over the middle to the 40-yard line, they're able to spike the ball to stop the clock with one second left.
2nd Quarter, 00:20: Brady had nothing downfield and had to scramble for three yards up the middle. The Pats burn their last timeout.
2nd Quarter, 00:21: Welcome back Dion Lewis!
On a delayed handoff, the back picked up 12 yards before running out of bounds. It moves the chains and keeps the drive alive ahead of halftime.
2nd Quarter, 00:26: The 49ers finally call a timeout as the Patriots face a 3rd-and-9. They wasted about 20 seconds on the clock.
2nd Quarter, 1:08: Given the nasty conditions right now, we probably won't see the Patriots take any shots downfield. So much for that double score before and out of halftime.
2nd Quarter, 2:00: The Patriots will get the ball back at the two-minute warning, as they were able to get to Kaepernick on second down. Rob Ninkovich actually forced a fumble, but San Francisco was able to recover.
That was New England's fifth sack of the day, the most they've had in a single game this season.
Kaepernick could only pick up four yards on a third down pass to Draughn, and the 49ers will have to punt away when play resumes.
2nd Quarter, 2:35: Steady rain now at Levi's Stadium.
2nd Quarter, 4:00: A couple of bad drives for Nate Solder, as he was flagged for a false start on this one, costing the Patriots five yards.
It made a difference too, as Brady ran out of time on 3rd-and-15 and was sacked by rookie DeForest Buckner. The Pats had to punt it away, and Ryan Allen's punt went just 33 yards to the San Fran 39.
The Pats could have had a 21-3 lead in this one.
2nd Quarter, 4:50: James Develin just fielded the kickoff, but that isn't the story. A low block on the 49ers gives the Pats an extra 15 yards and sets them up at their own 40 to start the drive.
2nd Quarter, 4:56 -- Patriots 13, 49ers 10
Tight end Vance McDonald beat Devin McCourty on a little slant, and Kaepernick hit him for an 18-yard touchdown to get San Francisco back within three.
The defense just did not show up in any aspect on that drive, letting guys get open and missing tackles. In all, it was an eight-play drive by San Francisco that covered 92 yards in just 4:17. Kaepernick currently has a perfect quarterback rating in this one.
That hold on Nate Solder looms even larger at this point.
2nd Quarter, 5:03: A holding penalty on Logan Ryan gives the 49ers five more yards and another first down.
2nd Quarter, 5:46: The 49ers are driving, causing the Patriots to use their second timeout of the half.
San Francisco has picked up a four first downs on the drive so far, thanks to a 12-yard run by Carlos Hyde, a 17-yard run by Kaepernick and a 19-yard connection between the QB and tight end Garrett Celek.
The 49ers are down to the New England 24.
2nd Quarter, 9:21: The Patriots' mess of a possession comes to and end, but at least Matthew Slater made a nice play on special teams. He downed Ryan Allen's punt at the San Fran 8-yard line.
2nd Quarter, 9:27: Now a flag on Brady, who was whistled for intentional grounding. His pass to get rid of the ball before the 49ers pass rush got to him did not cross the line of scrimmage, so Brady's argument that he was out of the pocket won't change the official's mind.
The Pats now face a 3rd-and-21 with the loss of a down on Brady's penalty.
2nd Quarter, 9:31: Blount just broke off another long run, this time for a touchdown, but a hold on Nate Solder negated the play. So instead of a 35-yard score, it's a 10-yard penalty.
2nd Quarter, 11:15: After about six pump fakes and no options down field, Brady went to his security blanket in Dion Lewis on 2nd-and-4, and the crafty back picked up eight yards to move the chains for New England.
2nd Quarter, 12:55: The Pats have gotten more pressure on Kaepernick today than they have any other quarterback this season. Kyle Van Noy burst through the line and hit the San Fran QB on 3rd-and-8 for New England's fourth sack of the game, forcing another 49ers punt.
The Pats will take over at their own 29 following a fair catch by Amendola.
2nd Quarter, 14:53 -- Patriots 13, 49ers 3
That didn't take long. Tom Brady hits James White with a short pass and the back did the rest, taking it nine yards to the end zone. The Pats did not go for two, but Gostkowski made the extra point this time.
Blount picked up 49 yards on the six-play drive that covered 77 yards in 2:47.
End 1st Quarter -- Patriots 6, 49ers 3
The Pats end the quarter in great position to add to their slim lead, with the ball at the San Francisco 9.
In addition to Blount's big run, Julian Edelman has a pair of catches on the drive for 19 yards.
1st Quarter, 1:58: Blount broke off a 44-yard rush on 1st-and-10, and the Patriots are already in San Francisco territory at the SF 33.
1st Quarter, 2:45 -- Patriots 6, 49ers 3
After allowing San Fran to convert on a pair of third downs, the Pats' D stepped up when they needed to. Hightowner burst through the line on 3rd-and-goal and got to Kaepernick for New England's third sack of the game. Kaepernick fumbled, but was able to recover.
That made the 49ers settle for a 33-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.
1st Quarter, 6:09: Another big third down conversion for the 49ers, as the Pats D lost Shawn Draughn in the flat and he picked up 26 yards to the New England 27.
Dont'a Hightower was on Draughn, and completely lost him in coverage.
1st Quarter, 8:16: Former Patriots receiver Chris Harper just burned his old team for a big 19-yard gain on 3rd-and-8. Logan Ryan shoved him out of bounds at the San Fran 46.
1st Quarter, 10:10 -- Patriots 6, 49ers 0
A quick touchdown for New England's California duo, as Brady hits Julian Edelman in the back corner of the end zone for a four-yard score.
However, Stephen Gostkowski missed the extra point. It's the third time he's done that this season, so those struggles continue. It's been that kind of day in the NFL though, as Gostkowski's missed extra point is the 11th of the day around the league.
1st Quarter, 11:50: It didn't take Dion Lewis very long to get involved in this one. Facing a 3rd-and-3, Brady went to Lewis for a quick nine-yard pickup to the San Fran 11.
One touch, one first down for Dion Lewis. Not too shabby.
1st Quarter, 13:03: A quick three-and-out for the Patriots D, as they force a punt after applying some steady pressure on Kaepernick.
The Patriots sent the house at Kaepernick on third down, and safety Patrick Chung was able to wrap him up for an 11-yard loss. It was the second sack for the Pats' defense, as Malcolm Butler also got to Kaepernick on first down.
The Pats offense won't have much field to cover, as Danny Amendola returns a short punt to the San Fran 27.
1st Quarter -- 15:00: Patriots call heads and win the coin toss. It shouldn't shock anyone that they will defer.
The steady rain has turned into a light drizzle, but it'll be something to monitor throughout the game.
Pregame -- 4:16 p.m.: The Patriots are all receiving loud ovations from the fans in attendance. It's essentially a home game for the Patriots, just three hours later than they're used to.
Pregame -- 4:04 p.m.: This one could be sloppy in more ways than one. It's currently pouring at Levi's Stadium.
This has all the makings for a gigantic day for LeGarrette Blount in Santa Clara.
Tom Brady received a loud ovation when he was introduced, a much different reception than the one he got ahead of Super Bowl 50 just a few months ago.
Pregame -- 3:55 p.m.: Former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe is in the house, making the trip down from Washington State.
Tom Brady apparently went over and share a moment with Bledsoe ahead of this one:
And speaking of Bledsoe, it's been 15 years since that famous hit by Mo Lewis, which knocked Bledsoe out and paved the way for Brady to take over. Many thought about that hit last Sunday when Rob Gronkowski took a huge hit from Seattle's Earl Thomas, but Patriots president Jonathan Kraft said Gronk's current injury is much less severe than the one Bledsoe suffered in 2001.
"I think I'll let Bill [Belichick] and Rob address his status, but I think it's safe to say it doesn't rise to the level of Drew [Bledsoe] when he got hurt," Kraft told 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Pregame -- 3:40 p.m.: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick joined Scott Zolak on 98.5 The Sports Hub's pregame show, and said today is "a pretty good opportunity" for Lewis to play and help the team.
Lewis dazzled in his seven games with the team last season, with 622 total yards and four touchdowns, but hasn't played since November 8, 2015.
Pregame -- 2:50 p.m.: The Patriots look to bounce back from their disappointing 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last weekend against a team that has just one win this season.
New England pays a visit to the 1-8 San Francisco 49ers, who have lost eight straight. It's Tom Brady's first in his hometown as an opposing quarterback, one that he's very much looking forward to. Brady said he got more tickets to this one than any other game during his career, and even though the QB is universally disliked by opposing fans, this afternoon will likely feature a very pro-Brady crowd. Not to mention, there will be a ton of Patriots fan in attendance anyways.
As for the game itself, we know that Rob Gronkowski isn't with the team, ruled out on Friday with that chest injury he suffered last week against Seattle. Wide receiver Chris Hogan was also ruled out with a back injury on Friday.
Defensive end Jabaal Sheard is also back home in New England, inactive for unknown reasons. Could it be Bill Belichick sending a message to Sheard and the rest of the defense? Time will tell.
As for who will play (or, at leat might play) running back Dion Lewis is active for the first time this season and has been hard at work the last few hours to get ready for this one. He looks primed to make his season debut after his 2015 season came to an end due to an ACL injury in Week 9. Lewis could see a good amount of playing time if the Pats get up big early on.
Also active for this one is linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who appears set to make his Patriots debut.
Here is the list of New England's inactives for today's game:
Corner Justin Coleman is the odd man out of the secondary this afternoon, as that unit looks to right the ship against a struggling 49ers pass attack. Eric Rowe is active and will take Coleman's spot today, with rookie Cyrus Jones also potentially seeing some time in the secondary.
Stick with CBSBoston.com for all the updates leading up to, during and after the game, which can be seen on WBZ-TV and heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Both stations have full postgame shows following the tilt, with three hours of coverage on 98.5 The Sports Hub and Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's press conferences live on Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38.
