Patriots get back in win column with 30-17 victory against 49ers

This game might have been a little closer than the Patriots were expecting. Despite getting off to a fast start, New England, leading 13-10 into the fourth quarter, found some separation when Brady hit Danny Amendola on the run for a five-yard touchdown pass to put the Pats ahead 20-10. The now 8-2 Patriots wouldn't look back for the remainder of the game, as the 49ers failed to get any momentum going until the latter stages of the fourth quarter. 

In all, Brady finished 24-of-40 for 280 yards and four touchdown passes. 

Rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and Julian Edelman also had themselves a day. Mitchell caught his first-career touchdown passes as part of a four-reception, 98-yard day. Edelman hauled in eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown on 21 targets. Edelman also rushed for 12 yards on two carries.

The Patriots got on the board early with an opening-drive touchdown from Brady to Edelman and would then see their offense stall for the rest of the quarter. San Francisco then added a Phil Dawson field goal to make it 6-3.

It seemed as if the Patriots were going to run away with the game in the first half, as the Pats extended their lead to 13-3 when Brady found James White for his second touchdown of the day.

The Pats' defense, which has been much maligned in recent weeks, put in a better effort this week than they have in about a month. They held the 49er offense to 299 total yards and seemed to be a bit more aggressive at points, especially on the opening drive. Malcolm Butler and Patrick Chung were both credited with sacks on San Francisco's first drive of the day.

Brady's quarterback counterpart, Colin Kaepernick, finished the day going 16-of-30 for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Kaepernick also added 32 yards on the ground on four carries. 

The Patriots will travel to New York to face the Jets next week at 4:25 pm. 

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