The New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers vie to end a two-game losing streak when they meet Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
After opening the season with a 16-10 victory at Cincinnati, New England (1-2) dropped a 23-20 decision to Seattle in overtime at home in Week 2 before losing to the New York Jets 24-3 on the road in Week 3.
The 49ers (1-2) began their season with a 32-19 home victory against the Jets, but they have since suffered losses at Minnesota (23-17) and at the Los Angeles Rams (27-24).
In addition to missing running back Christian McCaffrey, who is on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis, the 49ers were without wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) against the Rams. But Kittle declared himself ready to roll on Thursday.
Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams, who has a toe injury, could also be back to face New England after being upgraded to questionable on Friday.
The Patriots are averaging 13.0 points per game (31st) and their offense ranks 32nd in yards per game (246.3). New England’s biggest issue has come in the passing game, which is averaging 102.0 yards per contest (32nd).
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been operating behind an offensive line that has been plagued by injuries through the season’s first three weeks, and that may be the case again Sunday. Starting left tackle Vederian Lowe (knee) and guard Michael Jordan (ankle) are out and backup O-linemen Caeden Wallace (knee) and Sidy Sow (ankle) are questionable.
“Obviously (the 49ers’) record is not reflective of the team that they are, and can be going forward because they’re dealing with injuries as well,” New England coach Jerod Mayo said. “What I will say is the challenge for us is just in the front — offensive line and defensive line. I don’t want to sound repetitive, but they are a do-what-they-do type of team. We know what they’re going to do (and) the fans know what they’re going to do, but you still have to stop it.”
Earlier this week, Mayo said Brissett will remain the team’s starting quarterback and rookie first-round pick Drake Maye will be No. 2 on the depth chart. Maye played in the final minutes of New England’s loss to the Jets. Mayo also said the team is not interested in signing a veteran quarterback at this time.
New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson (4.3 ypc) and Antonio Gibson (6.2 ypc) are both averaging more than 4.0 yards per carry, but Stevenson has fumbled the ball three times in three games.
Despite the injuries to some of their offensive stars, the 49ers are averaging 24.3 points per game (tied with Seattle for ninth) and rank third in yards per game (407.3) and second in passing yards per game (267.7). Wide receiver Jauan Jennings had 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams.
The 49ers’ defense has been leaky, however. San Francisco is 30th among NFL teams in both yards allowed per play (6.1) and third-down conversion percentage (52.9 percent). The 49ers can no longer rely on defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who suffered a torn right triceps during last Sunday’s loss to the Rams and will miss the remainder of the season.
“I think all three levels (of the defense) have had an issue at times,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I think we’ve played good at times, too. … We’ve had some new guys in there. We’ve had moments where we’ve been strong, but we’re not playing up to how we usually do and we have to make sure to get back to playing that way.
“Every time you have injuries, everyone knows it makes it tougher, but people have injuries throughout the league. You have to be able to overcome those.”
49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) is also questionable after rolling his ankle at practice.
Sunday’s game will be the first meeting between the teams since 2020, when the 49ers earned a 33-6 road victory.
“We’ll see what this team is made of going forward,” Mayo said. “We have a long trip out west and gotta be ready to play against a good solid football team.”
–Field Level Media
