The New England Patriots (1-2, 1-1-1 ATS, 1-2 O/U) are set to face the San Francisco 49ers (1-2, 1-2 ATS, 2-1 O/U) in an exciting inter-conference matchup this Sunday afternoon. After a tough road defeat to the Jets, the Patriots find themselves at 1-2. Meanwhile, the 49ers, who also hold a 1-2 record, suffered a disappointing loss against the Rams last week. The last time these two teams clashed was during the 2020 season.
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New England’s Struggles Continue
The New England Patriots have faced a challenging start this season. They surprised many by winning against the Bengals 16-10 in their opener. However, they fell short in week two, losing 23-20 in overtime to the Seahawks. Last week, they faced a setback, suffering a 24-3 defeat on the road against the Jets, a game in which they were expected to compete as 4.5-point underdogs. So far, the Patriots have covered the spread in just one of their three games.
Jacoby Brissett has taken the helm as the starting quarterback, edging out rookie Drake Maye. Unfortunately, Brissett has struggled to find his rhythm, failing to surpass 150 passing yards in any game, with just 98 yards in the latest outing. His season totals show only 368 passing yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. The coaching staff has decided to stick with him for the foreseeable future.
The team’s strategy leans heavily on the ground game. Rhamondre Stevenson has managed to reach 80 rushing yards in two of three games, totaling 224 rushing yards for the season. The wide receiver corps has not made a significant impact, with tight end Hunter Henry leading the team with only 136 yards. Demario Douglas added 69 yards last week, bringing his total to 81 yards. To stay competitive for a playoff spot, the Patriots’ offense, currently averaging just 246 total yards per game, will need to find ways to improve.
On a brighter note, the Patriots’ defense has shown promise. They effectively contained strong offenses like the Bengals and Seahawks in their first two games. However, last week, they struggled, allowing 400 total yards and 267 passing yards against Aaron Rodgers. Notably, the pass defense ranks 28th in the league, while the rush defense sits at an impressive fifth.
The Patriots are currently averaging just 13 points per game, placing them 30th in the league, while their defense allows an average of 19 points, good for 11th overall.
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San Francisco’s Quest for Redemption
The San Francisco 49ers are desperate for a victory. They began the season strong, defeating the Jets 32-19 at home. Since then, however, their performance has faltered. They were narrow favorites in a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in week two and then squandered a 21-7 lead, ultimately losing 27-24 to the Rams, despite being favored by 6.5 points. The 49ers have only managed to cover the spread in one of their three games.
Brock Purdy has consistently shown his skills as the team’s quarterback. The 24-year-old has thrown for 319 yards against the Vikings and 292 yards against the Rams, accumulating a total of 842 passing yards this season with a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Despite battling a sore back, he is expected to play.
The offense has had to adapt in the absence of Christian McCaffrey. Jordan Mason has stepped up in the backfield, rushing for over 100 yards in two of three games. He registered 100 rushing yards against Minnesota and has accumulated 324 yards at an average of 4.8 yards per carry.
Deebo Samuel shined with 110 receiving yards in the Minnesota game, totaling 164 yards this season. Juan Jennings has emerged as a significant target, leading the team with 276 receiving yards. The 49ers’ offense has not been the problem in their defeats, ranking highly with an average of 407 yards per game.
On the defensive side, the 49ers have been strong overall, although they faced challenges against the Vikings, allowing 403 yards due to passing defense struggles. They improved last week, limiting the Rams to 296 yards, but were unable to produce crucial stops when needed. The pass defense ranks 20th, while the rush defense remains solid at 10th.
San Francisco averages 24.3 points per game, placing them 10th, and they allow an average of 23 points, which ranks them 21st.
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Top Wagering Insights for Patriots vs. 49ers
The New England Patriots may not shine offensively, but they rely heavily on their defensive prowess to remain competitive. They surprised many by limiting the Bengals to just 10 points in their first road game, followed by a narrow overtime loss to the Seahawks. The 49ers, on the other hand, have faced defeats against both the Vikings and Rams, failing to capitalize on early leads.
Moreover, the 49ers’ pass defense has shown vulnerabilities, ranking 20th overall. It’s anticipated that Rhamondre Stevenson will have another strong performance on the ground, having reached 100 rushing yards in two games this season. The 49ers allowed a staggering 146 rushing yards against Minnesota, presenting a significant challenge for them as they prepare to face Stevenson, especially with Christian McCaffrey still sidelined.
