The Patriots will travel to the West Coast this week.
For the first time in eight years, the New England Patriots will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers. For both teams, it will be a “get back on track” game: they started the season with a win, and have since lost back-to-back games.
Obviously, though, the Patriots coming away victoriously is not going to be easy (something reflected by their status as double-digit underdogs). Fact is, after all, that San Francisco has one of the most talented teams in football as well as a seasoned coaching staff to put them in a position to win.
So, with that said, let’s meet the 49ers.
49ers key stats
Three games is a small sample size, but the early statistics posted this season give us a first indication where certain teams may or may not be headed. Nonetheless, the numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt at this state in the process.
Record: 1-2 (4th NFC West)
Offense: 24.3 points/game (9th), 407.3 yards/game (3rd), 0.089 EPA/play (7th)
Defense: 23.0 points/game (21st), 321.7 yards/game (16th), 0.056 EPA/play (24th)
Scoring differential: +4 (15th)
Turnover differential: +1 (t-7th)
San Francisco’s offense has been among the league’s most productive for a few years now, and little has changed in 2024. While the team finds itself at 1-2 and therefore at the bottom of a competitive NFC West, the unit led by head coach Kyle Shanahan has once again produced at a high level and is without question a top-10 group in the league.
The defense, meanwhile, has not been that so far this season. One of the biggest problems for the 49ers has been stopping the run, which in theory might play into New England’s hands: the team is ranked 28th in that category in expected points added per rushing attempt (0.037).
49ers 2024 season
As noted above, San Francisco started the 2024 season in the right way before suffering two straight losses to fall to 1-2.
Week 1: 32-19 win vs. New York Jets
Week 2: 23-17 loss at Minnesota Vikings
Week 3: 27-24 loss at Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers played a good game on opening day against the visiting Jets, but despite scoring 32 points left some meat on the bone: they had to settle for seven field goals, while only scoring two touchdowns in a 32-19 victory. Still, the start was promising for the defending NFC champions.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep the momentum up. In part due to injuries starting to mount, the 49ers fell in both Week 2 and Week 3. While the loss in Minnesota largely came down to issues on third down on both sides of the ball, Sunday’s defeat against the division rival Rams was one San Francisco seemingly could have avoided but was unable to do despite a 10-point inside 10 minutes to play.
49ers roster
(Note: Roster up-to-date as of Sept. 25, 7 a.m. ET; *indicates projected starter)
Quarterback (3): Brock Purdy* (13), Brandon Allen (17), Joshua Dobbs (5)
Running back (4): Jordan Mason* (24 | KR), Kyle Juszczyk* (44 | FB), Isaac Guerendo (31), Patrick Taylor Jr. (32)
Wide receiver (6): Brandon Aiyuk* (11), Deebo Samuel* (1), Jauan Jennings (15), Chris Conley (18), Ronnie Bell (10), Jacob Cowing (19 | PR)
Tight end (3): George Kittle* (85), Eric Saubert (82), Jake Tonges (88)
Offensive tackle (3): Trent Williams* (71 | LT), Colton McKivitz* (68 | RT), Jaylon Moore (76)
Interior offensive line (6): Aaron Banks* (65 | LG), Jake Brendel* (64 | C), Dominick Puni* (77 | RG), Spencer Burford (74), Nick Zakelj (63), Ben Bartch (78)
Interior defensive line (4): Maliek Collins* (99), Javon Hargrave* (98), Jordan Elliott (92), Kevin Givens (90)
Defensive edge (4): Nick Bosa* (97), Leonard Floyd* (56), Yetur Gross-Matos (94), Robert Beal Jr. (51)
Linebacker (6): Fred Warner* (54), De’Vondre Campbell* (59), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (45), Dee Winters (53), Curtis Robinson (36), Tatum Bethune (48)
Cornerback (6): Charvarius Ward* (7), Deommodore Lenoir* (2), Isaac Yiadom* (22), Renardo Green (0), Rock Ya-Sin (33), Darrell Luter Jr. (28)
Safety (4): Talanoa Hufanga* (29), Ji’Ayir Brown* (27), George Odum (75), Malik Mustapha (6)
Specialists (3): Jake Moody (4 | K), Mitch Wishnowsky (3 | P | H), Taybor Pepper (46 | LS)
Questions, questions, questions. On paper, the 49ers have one of the most talented rosters in all of football and should be better than their current record. However, uncertainty reigns supreme due to a multitude of injuries especially on offense.
The statuses of currently-recovering Deebo Samuel and George Kittle will obviously be worth keeping a close eye on throughout the week, considering their importance to the offensive operation. Jauan Jennings and one-time Patriot Eric Saubert project as the next men up in case they cannot go. All that is happening while star running back Christian McCaffrey already finds himself on injured reserve and replaced by Jordan Mason.
On defense, the 49ers are expected to soon remove Javon Hargrave from their roster after he suffered a season-ending tricep injury. Even with him out, however, their front line looks daunting especially for a Patriots offense that has had all sorts of issues in pass protection lately.
49ers reserves
Practice squad (15): DT Evan Anderson, ED Alex Barrett, OT Chris Hubbard, CB Chase Lucas, S Jaylen Mahoney, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., DT T.Y. McGill, QB Tanner Mordecai, OL Drake Nugent, ED Sam Okuayinonu, TE Mason Pline, WR Trent Taylor, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, LB DaShaun White, TE Brayden Willis
Practice squad international (1): OT Isaac Alarcón
Injured reserve (5): DT Kalia Davis, OL Jon Feliciano, RB Christian McCaffrey, RB Elijah Mitchell, CB Ambry Thomas
Non-football injury (1): WR Ricky Pearsall
Physically unable to perform (2): LB Dre Greenlaw, ED Drake Jackson
With the 49ers facing some uncertain injury situations heading into Week 4, and with Javon Hargrave off to injured reserve soon, the team might opt to bolster its depth from the practcie squad. There are several suitable candidates — including wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. and defensive lineman T.Y. McGill — to move up either permanently or for the game.
The biggest names among the reserves, however, find themselves on the IR list. Christian McCaffrey and Dre Greenlaw would be starters at running back and linebacker, respectively, while Ricky Pearsall was selected in the first round of this year’s draft. All three will miss this week’s game.
49ers coaching staff
Head coach: Kyle Shanahan
Coordinators: Klay Kubiak (Passing game specialist) Chris Foerster (Run game coordinator/Offensive line), Nick Sorensen (DC), Brian Schneider (ST)
The 49ers’ coaching staff underwent some changes this offseason. Klint Kubiak, who was Kyle Shanahan’s right-hand man running the offense as pass game specialist and also interviewed for the Patriots’ open OC position, departed and was replaced by his brother Klay. Defensively, Nick Sorensen was promoted to coordinator after San Francisco decided to part ways with his predecessor, Steve Wilks, after its loss in the Super Bowl.