Patriots Overcome Slow Start, Beat 49ers 30-17
Monday, November 21, 2016
The win is the 199th of Brady's career, one behind Peyton Manning, and moves the Patriots to 8-2 on the season.
The 49ers drop to 1-9 overall, having now lost nine straight games.
Patriots Offense Comes to Life
After punting on four straight possessions extending from the second quarter into the third, the Patriots offense took over possession with 4:16 to play in the third quarter and this time cashed in.
The key play of the drive was a 3rd and 9 from the Patriots 21 yard line. Brady hit receiver Malcolm Mitchell over the middle for a 21 yard gain and the offense rolled from there.
Brady found James White for a 14 yard gain, Martellus Bennett for another 14 yard gain, Mitchell for eight yards and Julian Edelman for 13 yards setting them up in the red zone.
To conclude the 10 play, 80 yard drive, Brady found Danny Amendola in the back of the end zone for a five yard touchdown pass to put the Patriots back in control, leading 20-10 after a Stephen Gostkowski extra point was good.
Two possessions later the Patriots offense would strike again.
This time it was Brady throwing on the run to Mitchell, who then took it 56 yards for a touchdown to give New England a commanding 27-10 lead after Gostkowski’s extra point.
The touchdown is the first of Mitchell’s career.
Patriots needed a WR to step up today with Chris Hogan out with a back injury. Enter Malcolm Mitchell.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 20, 2016
Gostkowski would add a field goal to give the Patriots a 30-10 lead. They would go on to win 30-17.
First Half Struggles
The Patriots appeared poised to take firm control of the game early in the second quarter after Brady found White for a nine yard touchdown pass to give the Patriots a 13-3 lead after Gostkowski’s extra point was good.
Two possessions later, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick led the 49ers on an 8 play, 92 yard drive ending with an 18 yard touchdown pass down the right sideline to Vance McDonald to give San Fran life, now only down 13-10 after the extra point was good.
The Patriots got the ball back with just over a minute left in the half the Patriots ran the ball five times and took their 13-10 lead into the locker room despite having time-outs at their disposal.
Dion Lewis Returns
After being activated to the 53-man roster but not playing last week, running back Dion Lewis returned to the field this week.
That Dion Lewis can make these ridiculous cuts on such a slop surface is strong indication his legs came back reeeeal nice, Clark. #Patriots
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) November 20, 2016
Lewis finished the game with five carries for 23 yards and three catches for 26 yards in his first football game in a year.
The Leaders
Brady threw completed 24 of 40 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 16 touchdown passes on the season.
Mitchell led Patriots receivers with four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown, while Edelman caught eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown.
LeGarrette Blount tallied his third 100 yard game of the year, rushing for 124 yards on 19 carries.
Next up
The Patriots are back in action on Sunday, November 27 when they visit the New York Jets.
Kickoff for the game is set for 4:25 p.m.
Related Slideshow: 16 Plays That Define the Patriots 2016 Season Regular Season - in Vines
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