Patriots-49ers Week 11 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots head out to the West Coast this weekend for a matchup with the 1-8 San Francisco 49ers.
New England is looking to bounce back from a 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last weekend, in a game that is a homecoming for quarterback Tom Brady. This will be his first game in San Francisco for Brady, who grew up a 49ers fan and has fond memories of Joe Montana and Steve Young, after he missed New England's last visit to the Bay Area back in the 2008 season.
Read: Patriots-49ers Preview
Here's how the WBZ-TV, 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ NewsRadio 1030 sports teams see Sunday's game playing out:
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
Tom Brady is going back home to the Bay Area for the first time as a pro. With or without Rob Gronkowski, this one's a no-brainer.
Patriots 28, 49ers 14
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
I have shifted opinions on this one. After watching both the Seattle-New England and San Francisco-Arizona games of last weekend, I believed that the 49ers could surprise the Pats and give them a real tough game. The 49ers defense played well against the Cardinals and Colin Kaepernick is the type of quarterback that can give the Patriots problems with his legs.
However, the overriding factor has to be Tom Brady. No. 12 is playing in his hometown for the first time -- ever! That alone should make for a memorable afternoon. Add in a defense that is angry/hurt by all the criticism this week, and I like the Pats to roll.
Patriots 49, 49ers 19
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
Despite the fact that the Patriots will probably play without Rob Gronkowski, this should be a game they use to fix their ills.
The defense can use this game to try and figure out their issues and on offense, maybe Dion Lewis will get in the game and get some run.
The Pats have to make sure this doesn't turn into that Miami game at the end of last season and I think they will. They should get back on the winning track Sunday out west.
Patriots 30, 49ers 10
Adam Kaufman, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
The Patriots are 13-point favorites to beat the Niners. Then again, they were favored by 7.5 points against the Seahawks last Sunday and wound up 31-24 losers. So, what do we know?
Sure, there's the "any given Sunday" factor, but we mostly know San Francisco stinks. The Niners are tied for 22nd in points (20.8), rank 29th in average total yards (310.8) and 30th in passing offense (191.2). But, they can run. Between mobile QB Colin Kaepernick and back Carlos Hyde, the Niners are averaging 119.6 yards a week, good for sixth.
But, even if their ground attack can keep the Niners close against a Pats defense that's underwhelmed lately, San Fran is atrocious defensively. The club's giving up the most average total yards (429.7) and rushing yards (180.4) in the NFL.
LeGarrette Blount's having a career year. Dion Lewis could be back. Tom Brady's playing his first career game in his hometown.
New England doesn't need Rob Gronkowski to play. This should be a ROMP.
Patriots 37, Niners 17
Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
There's no way the Patriots lose two in a row. I don't think they cover (-13) but they will rebound and win even if without Rob Gronkowski.
Patriots 27, 49ers 20
Tune in to Patriots-49ers on WBZ-TV and 98.5 The Sports Hub — the flagship stations of the New England Patriots. Pregame coverage begins on WBZ-TV at 11:30am with Patriots GameDay, with Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38 following the game. Pregame coverage starts on 98.5FM at 1:30pm, with three hours of postgame coverage after the game.
