Everything You Need to Know About Patriots vs. 49ers Week 4

Coming off an embarrassing primetime blowout loss to the New York Jets in Week 3, the opponents don't get any easier for the New England Patriots.

The Patriots will embark on the cross-country flight to play the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Eastern.

After two competitive showings in the first two weeks of the season, the Patriots were dominated by the Jets in every facet of the game in Week 3. It will be interesting to see how Jerod Mayo gets his squad to respond to the first real on-field adversity with him at the helm. Will the Patriots show that they are the team that we saw in the first two weeks, or did they overperform in those games and Thursday's humiliating product is more representative of what we should expect out of the 2024 Patriots?

Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers are coming off a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The Niners led by two touchdowns twice and were outscored by the Rams 13-3 in the final quarter.

Facing the defending NFC champions was already going to be a difficult task for the Patriots, but facing a frustrated San Francisco team coming off of a disappointing loss has all the makings of a "get right" game for the 49ers as they face one of the lower-tier NFL teams. San Francisco's choke on Sunday is not an ideal turn of events for Patriots fans.

Both teams enter this matchup at 1-2, but the Patriots and 49ers carry very different 2024 expectations. This Week 4 clash could go a long way towards setting the tone for each team moving forward. Here is everything that you need to know about the matchup between the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in Week 4.

The Nuts and Bolts: Start Time, How to Watch, Etc.

• Home: San Francisco 49ers
• Road: New England Patriots
• Venue: Levi's Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif.
• Date: Sept. 29, 2024
• Time: 4:05 PM Eastern
• TV Coverage: FOX
• Radio: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

Patriots vs. 49ers Prediction

In Thursday night's dreadful loss, the Patriots attempted to break out of their run-first, three yards and a cloud of dust, mold by passing on seven of their first nine plays from scrimmage. Speaking to the media later, Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt admitted that he should have called more runs early to set up in the play action, rather than committing to a pass-heavy gameplan right out of the gate.

After New England ran the ball 75 times for 355 yards in their first two games, the Patriots only had 15 rushes on Thursday night. Will Alex Van Pelt and the Patriots recommit to the run on Sunday, or will they stubbornly still try to force the passing game? It is likely the former.

The Patriots' defense, the supposed strength of this team, played one of their worst games in the last two seasons on Thursday. That performance coinciding with their first game following the loss of team captain and tackling machine Ja'Whaun Bentley at linebacker is a scary thought that this could be a sign of more things to come.

The 49ers are the best offense that the Patriots have faced this season and that will likely be reflected on the scoreboard on Sunday – regardless of the litany list of injuries that San Francisco is facing. In Week 3 against the Rams, the Niners were without Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and McCaffrey, but still racked up 425 yards of offense. Kyle Shanahan is one of, if not the best, offensive minds in football and he should be able to scheme around any losses.

It's tempting to predict San Francisco to put up more points, but ultimately the Patriots return to their ground game and chew up enough clock to prevent the Niners from really running up the score.

Prediction: San Francisco 27, New England Patriots 10

Patriots vs. 49ers Injury Report

The Patriots had 10 players listed on their injury report on Wednesday as limited or non-participants. Once again, the offensive line continues to be banged up as Michael Jordan and Verderian Lowe both did not participate, while David Andrews, Sidy Sow, and Caedan Wallace were listed as limited. Sow, who appeared in 15 games during his rookie season in 2023, has yet to play this season after suffering an injury in the team's final preseason game.

If Lowe and Wallace can't go, this will be the fourth starting left tackle for the Patriots in four weeks. Demontrey Jacobs would be the next man up at that spot.

Christian Gonzalez was reported as limited with a shoulder injury. After Gonzalez missed the final 13 games of his rookie season due to season-ending shoulder surgery, that is certainly a development to keep an eye on.

From a more long-term perspective for the Patriots, linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday. Bentley is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Receiver Kendrick Bourne is eligible to come off of the PUP list following this game, and Mayo has said of Bourne: "when he's ready to be out there, he'll be out there."

Guard Cole Strange is also eligible to come off of PUP following this game, but his availability this season is in much murkier and it doesn't sound like he is trending to play in the next few weeks. Linebacker Sione Takitaki and safety Marte Mapu are also eligible to return in Week 5. New England is continuing to operate with the expectation that standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore with likely not play this season after blood clots were discovered in July.

The 49ers injury list currently reads like a CVS receipt, and the loss of several key players is certainly favorable for New England. At San Francisco's practice on Wednesday, linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), tackle Trent Williams (illness), and wideout Deebo Samuel (calf) all did not participate. Tight end George Kittle, who missed Sunday's game vs. the Rams, was limited with his hamstring injury. Brock Purdy was a full participant after a brief scare for Niners fans over his back soreness.

There are several players who are certainly out for San Francisco on Sunday. The 49ers will also be without superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, who is off to Germany to see a specialist for his Achilles tendonitis. 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely out for the season after suffering a tricep injury in Sunday's game, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw is still out due to an Achilles injury suffered when he tried to take the field during the Super Bowl. Rookie first-round receiver Ricky Pearsall has yet to make his NFL debut after he was shot in the chest on Aug. 31.

Weather Report: Conditions Should be a Non-Factor

The weather report for Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday currently projects a high of 82 degrees with sunny skies and 61 percent humidity.

Based on current forecasts, the weather should be a relative non-factor on Sunday. With a 1:05 local start on the West Coast, the final whistle should sound well before darkness sets in.

Patriots vs. 49ers Betting Odds

Spread: SF -10.5 (-105) | NE +10.5 (-115)
Moneyline: SF (-590) | NE (+430)
Total: 40.5 — Over (-115) | Under (-105)

It will come as no surprise to anyone that San Francisco is favored in this matchup, and the 10.5-point spread is the largest across the league in Week 4.

The Niners are massive moneyline favorites, as a $10 bet on San Francisco would only win $1.69. A $10 bet on New England would win $43 if the Patriots can somehow pull off a gigantic upset.

The Patriots are 1-1-1 against the spread this season, while San Francisco is 1-2. The over is 1-2 in New England's games with a total +/- of -7.8. In the Niners' 2024 games, the over is 2-1 with a total +/-of +2.5.

Patriots vs. 49ers Matchup History

Sunday will be the 15th meeting between the two franchises. The Niners hold a strong edge over the Patriots in the series, winning nine of the previous 14 meetings. San Francisco won six straight meetings between 1980 and 1995, largely accounting for their stranglehold on the series.

San Francisco and New England met most recently on Oct. 25, 2020, at Gillette Stadium in a 33-6 rout by the 49ers. The Patriots – quarterbacked by Cam Newton – failed to score a single touchdown and threw four interceptions (three by Newton, one by Jarrett Stidham). Once the heir apparent to Tom Brady in New England, Jimmy Garoppolo completed 20 of 25 passes for 277 yards for the Niners.

As will be the case again on Sunday, the Niners were the defending NFC champion when these two teams went head-to-head.

San Francisco is one of only nine NFL teams that New England has a losing record against, and the Patriots' .357 winning percentage against the 49ers is their worst against any team.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.