49ers dominate Patriots: Quick reactions

In a New England Patriots Fans podcast on Friday night, I predicted the San Francisco 49ers would win 31-13. I was close. The 49ers defeated the Patriots 30-13. But it should have been much worse.

The 49ers beat the Patriots, but they still made plenty of mistakes that need to be cleaned up before they face the challenges of the next four weeks. Still, the team did what they had to do. If only they could get healthy and stop losing players to injuries.

Here are my quick reactions as the game progressed:

• One of Malik Mustapha's strengths should be tackling. But he has missed some easy ones in the last two weeks.
• Oh no. Dominick Puni is slow to get to his feet, which means Spencer Burford comes in. Luckily, Puni was only out for one play.
• It's nice to see Brandon Aiyuk get involved early. However, he wasn't involved much for the rest of the game.
• Brock Purdy isn't the runner that Lamar Jackson is, but he can hurt you with his legs.
• The 49ers' red zone offense hasn't been great so far this season. Playing without Christian McCaffrey can do that.

• Sam Okuayinonu wasted no time in making an impression and forcing a mistake in the first quarter.
• This defense has movement.

• Why is it that Purdy's receivers can't seem to play against the Patriots?
• Fred Warner is a heat-seeking missile.
• And he scores touchdowns too.

• There was a point early in the game where Warner had outplayed the 49ers' offense.
• DeVondre Campbell is not good in coverage. Maybe I've written this sentence before, but maybe not.
• Who thought Kevin Givens was the 49ers' best defensive lineman on Sunday?
• Jauan Jennings doesn't hear any footsteps. Jauan Jennings hears footsteps.
• I don't think The Faithful are happy with the administration.

• This throw from Purdy wasn't bad either. I'm always amazed at what he does.
• The pass rush and defense look much better. On the other hand, the Patriots offense is pretty bad. Still, it's great to see the defense playing the way we expect them to.
• Maliek Collins is an inner force. And he made a lot of noise in that game.
• Isaac Guerendo losing a fumble on a kick return is not the way to get Kyle Shanahan to trust you.

• I'm not used to Nick Bosa missing sacks.
• Jordan Elliott is out with a knee injury. This defensive line cannot continue to lose players.

• Warner is also not in the game. He has an ankle injury. When it rains…
• For the second week in a row, the 49ers' special teams allow the other team to get back into the game.
• Luckily, the 49ers still have Purdy and the offense was able to close the door on New England.

• Ji'Ayir Brown still makes mistakes like young players do, but he also makes big plays.
• The 49ers pass rush punished Jacoby Brissett. I'm not sure how this guy keeps getting up.
• Maybe this diving catch will get Aiyuk going.
• Well, maybe not. That was his second and final catch of the day. Both were nice catches, but he disappeared for most of the game – again.
• Through four weeks, Aiyuk has 13 catches for 167 yards and no touchdowns. Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns last week.
• Jordan Mason runs like he's being shot out of a cannon.
• Unfortunately, Mason dropped the ball on the ground a few times. None of the fumbles were lost, but that needs to be cleaned up.
• Jennings is incredible. What a catch in the 4th quarter. He has a knack for making contested catches.

• Bosa is celebrating today. He only has one sack, but he terrorized Brissett.
• Mason ran for over 100 yards again. He's been so good this season.
• Purdy and Jennings are seventh graders. Mason was not drafted. Crazy!

The 49ers are still a little sloppy, but they dominated this game. Next up is the Arizona Cardinals. This won't be an easy victory.