Patriots vs. 49ers: Live Week 11 In-Game Thread & Blog for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers welcomed quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in a definitive “David vs. Goliath” matchup in which the Niners seem to have no chance. Niner Noise has your in-game thread with scoring updates and analysis.

New England Patriots quarterback returned back to the Bay Area to square off against the 1-8 San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

The Patriots were coming off a disappointing loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football but still boasted a 7-2 record and are, far and away, better than anything the Niners can offer. In all likelihood, the scuffing 49ers would continue their losing streak.

But one of the X-factors to watch would be quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kap played notably well in back-to-back contests prior to Week 11, but a stout Pats defense presented a different challenge.

Is Kaepernick finally ascending under head coach Chip Kelly? Or were the previous two games merely a “flash in the pan?”

San Francisco’s defense didn’t have to contend with perennial All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowksi, who suffered a punctured lung a week ago. But the Niners defense still ranked dead last in the league against the run, so one could easily figure this to be yet another factor against the 49ers’ favor.

Niner Noise has your Week 11 live blog with updates and analysis throughout. But, of course, we want to hear from you as well. So chime in on the comments section and be a part of the discussion!

First Quarter

San Francisco opened up on offense after New England won the toss and deferred. And, not surprisingly, the Niners went 3-and-out with the third-down attempt resulting in a sack of Kaepernick.

A solid punt return by Patriots return man Danny Amendola gave New England great field position to start its first drive.

Brady subsequently found wide receiver Julian Edelman for a touchdown, who easily beat cornerback Keith Reaser to put the Pats on top early. The subsequent extra-point attempt was no good, but New England went up 6-0.

Reaser had missed a tackle on a key third-down during the drive.

San Francisco managed to pick up a first down the following drive — a key pickup by wide receiver Chris Harper on third down. Running back Shaun Draughn answered with another third-down pickup on a nice touch pass from Kaepernick.

The Niners managed to move into the red zone, thanks to a solid run from running back Carlos Hyde.

But San Francisco’s offense moved backwards, resulting in a third sack of Kaepernick on third down.

Hey, kicker Phil Dawson converted his 400th career field goal!

The 49ers defense tried to respond, now trailing 6-3, after giving up one touchdown drive to New England already.

It didn’t start well, as Patriots running back LaGarrett Blount picked up 44 yards on the ground after two Niners defenders ran into each other trying to make a tackle.

Second Quarter

New England was right back into the red zone on its second drive. And Patriots running back James White hauled in a nine-yard pass from Brady for another New England touchdown.

San Francisco now trailed 13-3.

Hyde was a major factor on the subsequent drive, and he looked much better and decisive on the field compared to a week ago. But Hyde couldn’t save Kaepernick from getting sacked for the fourth time already, which resulted in another San Francisco punt.

The 49ers’ permeable defense led to the Patriots moving right back into Niners territory. But an intentional grounding call on Brady eventually led to New England’s first punt of the game.

A couple of carries from Hyde, as well as a pass from Kap, helped push San Francisco’s offense into New England territory. The 49ers would need as many of these drives as possible to let the defense rest.

And some of that rest turned into jubilation as Kaepernick found tight end Vance McDonald for the 49ers’ first touchdown of the game.

San Francisco closed the gap 13-10. Could the Niners defense respond?

Flags became a bit of a factor the subsequent drive. But the bigger story was a DeForest Buckner sack, which forced another Patriots punt. The rookie defensive end is starting to show a lot more promise in recent weeks.

The sack was later credited to linebacker Ahmad Brooks.

But the following Niners drive faltered, and San Francisco was forced to punt as the rain started to come down harder at the two-minute warning.

Thankfully, the weather and 49ers defense kept New England from striking before the half.

Third Quarter

After a halftime ceremony honoring former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo, the Patriots opened up on offense as the rain continued to fall.

San Francisco’s defense held, forcing a 3-and-out to open up the half.

But the 49ers’ third-quarter woes continued as the Niners were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half.

The 49ers were penalized twice on one play, which put Brady and Co. at midfield. But a key pass breakup from linebacker Nick Bellore and another by cornerback Jimmie Ward forced the Patriots to punt.

More Hyde runs helped keep the Niners momentum going. But despite an impressive throw-and-catch by Kaepernick to McDonald, the 49ers’ drive sputtered and ended in a punt.

New England’s offense finally started to find its rhythm again the following drive and moved deep into San Francisco territory.

Fourth Quarter

Despite the 49ers pass rush, which almost got to Brady, New England’s quarterback found Amendola for a six-yard touchdown score.

It was only a matter of time.

With San Francisco now trailing 20-10, could Kaepernick and the Niners answer back?

Not on the following drive, which ended on a 3-and-out.

The Niners defense also forced a much-needed 3-and-out as well, which put the ball back in San Francisco’s hands. And yet that ended with another 3-and-out.

Brady found wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell for a 56-yard touchdown, basically ensuring the 49ers would go 1-9 now trailing 27-10.

And as had been the Niners’ story all game, the pass rush couldn’t quite get to Brady.

The next 49ers drive — 3-and-out… again.

New England was right back into San Francisco territory on its subsequent drive, and one wouldn’t figure head coach Bill Belichick would let up off the gas.

Mercifully, perhaps, the Patriots had to settle for a 38-yard field goal from Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowki to increase New England’s lead 30-10.

Just think, the 49ers trailed by three when this quarter started.

Kaepernick and the Niners made things interesting late in the fourth quarter, which was capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to running back Shaun Draughn. This cut the lead to 30-17, but the game was still all but decided.

San Francisco couldn’t recover the subsequent onside kick.

Blount finally crested 100 yards on the ground late in the fourth quarter, which proved the Niners’ efforts against Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson a week ago weren’t going to carry over into Week 11.

New England finished with the victory formation just up against San Francisco’s end zone. And the 49ers’ nine-game losing streak tied a franchise record.

Not-so-great times in Santa Clara right now.

Next: Patriots vs. 49ers: Previewing Week 11 for San Francisco

Note: Please refresh your browser periodically to view in-game updates and scoring changes.