49ers news: 3 quick takeaways from the 30-13 win over the Patriots

The San Francisco 49ers bounced back in a major way on Sunday, swiftly defeating the New England Patriots 30-13 at Levi’s Stadium to improve to 2-2 on the season.

It was a dominant performance on both sides of the ball, as the 49ers were able to run the ball effectively, create explosives in the passing game, and force turnovers defensively in the blowout victory.

Here are three quick takeaways from the 49ers 30-13 win over the Patriots on Saturday.

Jauan Jennings

With Deebo Samuel returning to the fold and Brandon Aiyuk still looking for his first breakout game of the season, there were questions on what Jauan Jennings’s role could look like here in Week 4 as the 49ers looked to bounce back.

Well, Jennings got his own, leading the team with three catches for 88 yards on a team-high six targets.

It marked the third time this season that Jennings has led the team in receiving, as he had five catches for 64 yards back in Week 1 before his explosion with 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns last weekend.

Getting some downfield targets, Jennings had a 32-yard catch that began San Francisco’s first offensive touchdown drive before later securing an amazing 45-yard catch on a great pass from Brock Purdy on the first play of the drive in the second half.

Through four weeks, Jennings is third in the NFL in receiving yards with 364. Exactly how everyone drew it up coming into the year.

The former seventh-round pick earned a two-year extension in the summer and already proving his worth as one of San Francisco’s best players. He’s already topped his entire 2023 output (19 catches for 265 yards and a touchdown), and is coming close to reaching career highs (35 catches for 416 yards in 2022) through just four games. What a start to the year.

DPOY Fred?

When it came to the 49ers issues on defensively, many pointed to the third down concerns as one of the biggest problems through three weeks, and it seemed like that would be recurring again after New England converted their first two of the day on Sunday.

San Francisco finally got off the field on that first drive, but not before New England reached positive territory, although they ended up punting.

The Patriots got their next third down opportunity two drives later due to a fumble, and that’s when Fred Warner happened.

Facing a 3rd & 5 at their own 35-yard line, the Patriots were looking to extend their drive, but Warner snagged an incredible interception and returned it for the 49ers first touchdown of the game.

San Francisco needed a spark. They had resorted to field goals on each of their first two offensive drives, with their red zone struggles popping up both times. And, as he has on a number of plays to start this season, Warner rose to the occasion and made a huge interception, giving the 49ers a quick 13-0 lead.

Warner finished the game with seven tackles, a pass breakup, and a run stuff before ultimately leaving with an ankle injury that he couldn’t return from.

But, Warner has somehow found an even higher level of play to begin the year and is a prime Defensive Player of the Year candidate through the first four weeks.

“I do [think he’s playing at a higher level this year] a little bit,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said postgame. “It’s kind of hard to say that, he’s been so good every year. But the way he’s started out this year, it’s been a big-time year for him so far.”

Run Game

The explosives through the air were a clear priority for the 49ers, as they looked to attack the New England secondary and take a number of shots over the top.

But, the run game was seemingly as important a part of the gameplan, and Jordan Mason delivered yet again on Sunday.

Entering the game, the Patriots had one of the best rush defenses in the NFL, allowing just 83 yards per game on the ground, but had really struggled through the air, ranking amongst the bottom of the league by giving up nearly 250 passing yards a contest.

So, with the 49ers style, something had to give on the ground and it was advantage 49ers in this one.

Mason finished with 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while also catching two passes for 37 yards. He would’ve had a second touchdown, catching a 38-yard pass from Brock Purdy in the second quarter, but a George Kittle holding penalty nullified that chance.

Still, it’s been a dominant start to the season for the 49ers running back, who has filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey.

Mason is second in the NFL in rushing yards (447), first in attempts (91), and second in 20+ yard rushes (4).

When you look at the 49ers production, Mason and Jennings have been the crucial pieces to San Francisco’s offense, which is still finding its footing when it comes to scoring touchdowns, but looked the part on Sunday.