Five Takeaways From Patriots’ Blowout Loss To 49ers

The New England Patriots suffered a second straight embarrassment and fell to the San Francisco 49ers by a 30-13 verdict at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.

The Patriots, who finished with 216 yards of offense, fell to 1-3. The Niners, who doubled New England in yards per play (7.2 to 3.5), improved to 2-2.

Here are five takeaways after the struggle-filled showing:

Troubling response
There were quick glimpses. The red zone defense kept things in reach early on, despite struggles on offense. There was a brief time the Patriots had momentum as they trailed 20-10, too. But all in all, it was an underwhelming response for Jerod Mayo and company, who had 10 days to prepare and bounce back after they were pantsed in primetime. A competitive game would have gone a long way for the new regime. New England wasn't competitive, though. It was over before the start of the second half. And the performance more or less confirmed the Patriots are closer to the team they showed in Week 3 than the team they showed in Weeks 1 and 2.

Jacoby Brissett doesn't deserve to keep job, but still might
The veteran quarterback traveled to the Bay Area not having done anything to lose the starting job. Through three games, Brissett (19-for-32, 168 yards, touchdown, interception) avoided bad plays despite the struggles of the offensive line in front of him. That wasn't the case against the Niners. Brissett's first interception of the season went for a Fred Warner pick-six and gave the Niners a 13-0 lead less than one minute into the second quarter. Brissett had time and a wide-open DeMario Douglas before he telegraphed his pass over the middle. Brissett had more negative plays at Levi's Stadium than any game this season. He took six sacks, the majority of which felt ill-advised after he had some time. He missed receivers and the passing game -- 144 yards passing, 3.8 yards per pass -- did not pack a punch. Brissett has not done anything to keep the starting job. And because of that, the calls for rookie Drake Maye only will get louder.

Backbreaking mistakes
The Patriots are not a team built to play from behind, as evidenced against the New York Jets in Week 3. Well, New England had no choice but to do so Sunday. Rhamondre Stevenson's fourth fumble of the season gave the Niners the ball at New England's 30-yard line late in the first quarter. San Fran was held to a field goal. Brissett's interception then came on the next possession, which gave the hosts a two-possession lead. The Niners took a 20-0 lead on a ridiculous touchdown catch by George Kittle with 3:11 left in the first half. Ballgame.

Injuries continue to mount
The Patriots started their fourth left tackle in as many games given the departure of Chukwuma Okorafor, injury of Vederian Lowe and injury/demotion of rookie Caedan Wallace. Patriots captain David Andrews then exited the game after one offensive drive due to a shoulder injury. He did not return. Fellow starters including safety Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Wallace (ankle) were carted off the field later in the first half and also did not return.

Silver lining? Special teams
New England didn't have the advantage on offense, but it did on special teams. Patriots kicker Joey Slye nailed a 62-yard field goal at the end of the first half to get the visitors on the board. Slye converted a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter, too. Linebacker Christian Elliss recovered a 49ers fumble on the second-half kickoff. It set up the Patriots at San Fran's 27-yard line and ultimately led to a five-play scoring drive capped by Austin Hooper's touchdown.