The Patriots linebackers continued to struggle getting into space to eliminate the wheel route to running backs, while Devin McCourty had a rare off day in coverage.
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Interestingly enough, the San Francisco 49ers were definitely looking for a quarterback in the NFL Draft that year. And how fitting a rainbow even emerged as the game clock expired on his triumphant first game at San Francisco’s home field following a 17-year wait.
The Patriots started fast Sunday then let off the gas. Ahmad Brooks got a sack, and had a second one waved off due to a penalty, but for the most part, the 49ers just could not get to Brady.
“He was neighbors with my best friend”. However, they came up just short and their late game rally was ultimately in vain.
Luck, completing 15 of 28 for 262 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, drove the Colts 64, 75 and 80 yards for touchdowns the first three times they had the ball to build a 21-0 lead. If the Patriots had not lost that game and gone on to defeat the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro, Belichick would have already done his introductory march around Levi’s Stadium.
Mitchell led Patriots receivers with four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown, while Edelman caught eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell’s athletic, reaching grab between two defenders and straightaway speed after the catch resulted in his first career touchdown to seal it.
LeGarrette Blount had a season-long 44-yard run and finished with 124 yards rushing, his fourth 100-yard performance this season.
In the first half, Brady completed 12 of 17 for 108 yards and a passer rating of 126.6.
“Yeah I’ve got a lot of people out there waiting for me so it’s very cool”.
Brady’s really good – we know this. After a four-game losing streak, Joe Flacco and company have won two in a row on their way to a 5-4 record. The 1978 team lost nine straight. Dion Lewis made his return to the field for the first time this season after a second surgery on his knee and showed the same quickness from last season on his way to 49 all-purpose yards in limited action. This team isn’t poorly coached (given what he has, Chip Kelly has done a solid job), but they lack the players to pull out wins.
“It’s an entirely different situation, but we’ve played them before, and I understand the challenge of it”, he said.
The Patriot and the 49ers are both coming off Week 10 losses. He added five carries for 23 yards in his first game back since tearing his left ACL against the Redskins on November 8, 2015.
The day was far from picture-perfect, as a steady rain fell for most of the contest and the lowly 49ers kept actually it close. As has become the story all season, the 49ers offense could put zero points on the board in the third quarter.
Speaking to his popularity in the locker room, Dawson was congratulated by on the sideline by coaches and teammates before the ensuing kickoff.
“Most football teams you have to have balance”, Kaepernick said.
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The Patriots are back in action on Sunday, November 27 when they visit the New York Jets.
