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Patriots vs. 49ers: The Good, Bad and Ugly from San Francisco’s Week 11 Loss

By Peter Panacy

November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the football against New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch (97) during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Patriots defeated the 49ers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the football against New England Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch (97) during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Patriots defeated the 49ers 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) escapes San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Nick Bellore (50) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) escapes San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Nick Bellore (50) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bad

Linebacker Ahmad Brooks.

He was flagged for two offsides penalties, which has become something of a regularity.

Missed tackles also plagued San Francisco throughout the game, which led to plenty unnecessary games and third-down conversions.

New England managed to convert eight third downs on 16 attempts.

While most of the focus should fall on the inability to stop quarterback Tom Brady, San Francisco’s inability to halt Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was another major issue. Blount finished the game with 124 yards on 19 carries, which makes any feel-good sensation of the 49ers’ run defense from a week ago go away.

One might also wonder how Brady threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns. Well, he’s Brady.

But San Francisco’s pass rush didn’t help either. Brady had pressure on three of his four TD scores, like this play below, but the 49ers pass-rushers just couldn’t quite get there:

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick had nothing with which to answer in the second half, aside from a garbage-time touchdown pass to running back Shaun Draughn.

More of the same from the 49ers, and these reasons are why they’re 1-9.