The New England Patriots ended up taking advantage of a San Francisco 49ers special teams miscue at the beginning of the second half.
The 49ers fumbled the kickoff return, and the Patriots recovered the ball and turned it into a touchdown-scoring drive.
The drive itself took five plays, 27 yards and 2:49 off the clock. It concluded with Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett connecting on a play-action pass to tight end Austin Hooper.
Hooper put the finishing touches on the play by taking the ball into the end zone for the touchdown and cutting into the 49ers’ lead by a 20-10 margin, following the extra point.
It was Hooper’s first touchdown of the season and Brissett’s second touchdown pass.
.@AustinHooper18 hauls it in for a TD!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/FoYCIqP3ib
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 29, 2024
The 49ers would respond with a touchdown following the Patriots’ possession.
So whatever excitement came from the play was short-lived. The Patriots have done well when running the ball effectively and utilizing their tight ends on short-yardage plays.
At this point, it seems like the only way they can move the ball.
