49ers v. Patriots - Preview, FTN Staff Prediction, Injury Report, and Live Score Updates

Kyle Shanahan faces his Super Bowl spoiler in Bill Belichick - but without Tom Brady, as Cam Newton takes over.

Sir Lancelot

Patrick Holloway

Shanafandom

, and 2 others

Oct 25, 2020

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Gameday

San Francisco 49ers (3-3) vs. New England Patriots (2-3) at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Kickoff: 1:25 PM PST, 4:25 PM EST
Weather: 50°F, 7 MPH, 56% humidity, 0% precipitation
Spread: NE -3
Over/Under: 44 points
Channel: CBS, FuboTV, Streaming (in comments)
Radio: KNBR 680, KSAN 107.7, SiriusXM Channel 27
Announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson

Injury Report (will be updated):

San Francisco 49ers:

OUT:
- Kwon Alexander, LB
- Raheem Mostert, RB
- Jimmie Ward, FS
- Jaquiski Tartt, SS
- CJ Beathard, QB (inactive)
- Dante Pettis, WR (inactive)
- Parnell Motley, CB (inactive)
QUESTIONABLE:
- Trent Williams, OT (expected to play)
- Jeff Wilson Jr, RB (expected to play)

New England Patriots:

OUT:
- NT Carl Davis
- FS Kyle Dugger
- QB Brian Hoyer (inactive)
- RB J.J. Taylor (inactive)
- DB Myles Bryant (inactive)
- TE Devin Asiasi (inactive)

QUESTIONABLE:
- Julian Edelman, WR
- Derek Rivers, DE
- Shaq Mason, OG
- Adam Butler, DT

Live Score Updates:

1st Quarter:

9:56 - Jeff Wilson Jr rushes for 2 yard TD. Extra point is GOOD from Gould.

2nd Quarter:

14:56 - Nick Folk 40 yard FG is GOOD.
9:00 - Robbie Gould 41 yard FG is GOOD.
6:28 - Kyle Juszczyk rushes for 4 yard TD. Extra point is NO GOOD.
0:49 - Jeff Wilson Jr rushes for 16 yard TD. Extra point is GOOD.

3rd Quarter

10:52 - Nick Folk 41 yard FG is GOOD.
7:38 - Jeff Wilson Jr rushes for 7 yard TD. Extra point is GOOD. Wilson was injured on the play.

4th Quarter

13:30 - Robbie Gould 30 yard FG is GOOD.

Read our Q&A with Patriots fans.

(Foxborough, MA) - Jimmy Garoppolo has finally returned to the place of origin - he spent 3 years under Bill Belichick and now Buccaneers QB Tom Brady, and the 49ers have never played the Patriots in that timespan… until now. Taking a look back at the saga, it is still shocking to this day, that:

John Lynch asked for Tom Brady before Garoppolo.
Belichick wanted to keep Garoppolo. Brady and Kraft had other ideas.

For quite possible the greatest dynasty of all time, and a notoriously tight-lipped and disciplined organization, these types of conflicts were few and far between. But that is more of a judgement on how loved Garoppolo was by his coaches, and the 49ers have reaped the benefits thus far - to the tune of a Super Bowl berth last season, and a 23-7 QB record. The dude wins. But… depending on the validity of some leaks that have surfaced over the past few days, there are questions about Garoppolo and his fit with Kyle Shanahan.

While the 49ers invested heavily in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo just a few years ago, multiple league and team sources indicated that the organization is very much keeping its options open regarding the future of that position.
Garoppolo's play has been up and down, and there were some recent differences of opinion about the extent of his recent high ankle sprain. The guarantees on Garoppolo's then-record setting contract will have been paid out by 2021, leaving the franchise with maximum flexibility should it choose to go in another direction and no longer pay the veteran $26 million a year.
"It's wait and see," said one source with knowledge of the situation. "He's still under evaluation. It could go in a few different directions, and is it possible he's not the guy next year? That's fair. I don't think that's lost on anybody."

Granted, this is Jason La Canfora, not exactly a Schefter or Rapaport of the NFL world. The same source that La Canfora talked to also said this:

"Kyle thinks he can turn almost anyone into a star," one league source who has worked with 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan extensively and is familiar with his thinking said. "He's had a lot of success with a lot of different guys and the salary structure on that team has changed dramatically the last few years. He's not a guy who thinks he needs a $30 million a year QB to win. And they aren't exactly gushing about the guy that they have now."

One thing is correct here: this is very much an evaluation season for Garoppolo, which is rare to say for a 28, going on 29 year old QB - but Garoppolo has had an interesting career arc.

But back to the game, ahead of today’s 1:25 PM kickoff, the 49ers have made some roster moves:

UDFA S Jared Mayden, out of Alabama, was promoted to the active roster.
Jonathan Cyprien, the veteran safety, was also promoted.
Jauan Jennings was placed on the practice squad IR.
Raheem Mostert was officially placed on IR.

The two safeties being added to the active roster was expected with both Tartt and Ward out, but it remains to be seen - who starts next to Tarvarius Moore… it is likely Marcell Harris, but maybe Cyprien gets a shot.

The Patriots do pose a problem for the 49ers - not due to their overall team, but to the obvious one - Cam Newton. The former MVP is still a good QB, he has a strong arm, and he can still run the football - he leads the Patriots both in passing yards (714 yards, 68.1%, 2 TDs and 2 picks) and in rushing yards (225 yards, 5 TDs). He presents a big problem for a defense that has given up the most rushing yards of any defense to QBs - and Newton is a poster boy of a rushing QB. If the Patriots get within the 10 yard line, it’s hard to stop them - and so the 49ers LBs, Greenlaw and Warner, will be tasked with a big assignment today.

There is a ton of optimism going into this game - although the Patriots are one of the best defenses in the league vs. TEs, they haven’t played the best TE in the league yet (they have played the 2nd and 3rd, though). Check out The Prospector, courtesy of 49ers Communications and Media.

Predictions by FTN Staff

SF 19 v. NE 27 - Shanafandom

Prediction: Patriots win 27-19. I know I incorrectly chose the Rams last week. And that the Pats blew it last week to the Broncos, but they weren’t able to practice. Cam Newton’s mobility is a terrible match for our defense, and both of SF starting safeties are out. New England is strong against tight ends and has a great corner in Gilmore, making me worried.
Player of The Game: Jason Verrett. He’s been amazing when healthy and the Patriots don’t have good receivers.

SF 24 v. NE 20 - Patrick Holloway

Prediction: Those of you familiar with me at the other place know that I did my best to be level headed and objective, despite my love of the 49ers.This is not one of those times. I'm a homer and I think Jimmy Garoppolo, NOT the 49ers wants to show Bill Belichick and the Patriots how they screwed up in retaining Brady for a few more years rather than let him get the starting job.
Player of The Game: Jimmy Garoppolo -- If there ever was a time we'd see a perfect passer rating from Jimmy G, this is the game and with the Patriots' issues on defense can let it happen. Garoppolo will lead this game in spite of the 49ers due to it being far, FAR more personal for him.And really, it's the Patriots so I'll love every second of it.

SF 31 v. NE 28 - Riqonator

Prediction: Newton may very well put up a similar performance as Kyler Murray did in Week 1. Although his TD numbers show he is not throwing the ball at the level he used to, it’s because the Pats rely on his legs in the red-zone. Newton will likely bounce back from his COVID. The offense will be tasked with the Patriots and against the reigning DPOY, it will be tough. But I think that Jimmy Garoppolo pulls out a win.
Player of the Game: Arik Armstead - He will be key in terms of keeping contain on Newton and getting the pass rush going - Jordan Willis will not play this week and he was not going to be a game changer either. Armstead needs to play well.

SF 24 v. NE 21 - SportyMiner

Prediction: Last week I predicted a Niners loss. I hate doing it, but all logic pointed to that outcome based on the body of work before it. This week, with the Rams performance fresh in my mind I very nearly ignored our struggles and plumped for a big win. But with our confidence from last week + another slew of injuries + Bill Belichick + Cam vs Jimmy trying to prove themselves,.. I think this has all the markings of a trap game! Because of that, I've made the score close and decided by a field goal. We will concede TDs and although I think we can score a few too, lack of some offensive power vs Bill Belichick will neuter a large lead.
I can see so many variants of how this game could go I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole at the bookies! But, on paper, a close Niners win is what I feel is most likely.
Player of the Game: I'm going to mention Warner every week until I see a statue erected in his honour. This week, vs a mobile juggernaut that is Cam Newton, I think he'll be more important than usual. Also, for you Hasty fans, although Jet will get the bulk of snaps and IMO is the superior back, I can see Hasty getting some yards and his first TD in this game. Being an UDFA rookie, if he puts up great stats against the Pats and the commentators start bleating how he's replacing Mostert (he's not, yet) then I can see him getting it too in that situation.

SF 21 v. NE 20 - El Shorts

Prediction: Niners win 21-20. Picking Niners now and forever because I’m a big ole homer. I’d be more concerned about the lack of safeties if it weren’t for Cam being just average/mediocre passing so far this season. Regardless, Cam’s mobility will hurt us for a couple of scores, and the lack of Mostert will not be great for our ability to score. However, I still think the Niners win more because of their offense, as Aiyuk will have his breakout game with the Patriots defense keyed in on Kittle and Deebo. One of the Patriots field goals will be blocked and returned for a touchdown to ultimately be the deciding factor (got to have fun with this!).

Player of the Game: Jet McKinnon. 135 scrimmage yards (80 yards rushing 55 receiving yards) and a receiving touchdown.

4 of 5 FTN contributors pick the 49ers. 60% of FTN viewers on the Slack server picked the 49ers to win - this is once again, a must-win game.

Leave a like and comment to support us if you like the article and our content, or if you have criticism, or simply for discussion. Check out our best content by clicking the “top button” at the bottom of this article, including Part 1 and Part 2 of an in-depth look into Jimmy Garoppolo.

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