Colin Kaepernick answers questions following loss to Patriots

Another week where the offense starts out strong and then tends to fold in the third quarter. What is that about?

"We have to do a better job of executing. We got into a little bit of a rut. We got out of rhythm, weren't stringing plays together like we were earlier in the game."

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Did you feel you personally got out of rhythm a little bit?

"A little bit. There were some throws I wish I had back. There was a big one to [TE] Vance [McDonald] that we just missed on that could have opened up the game for us, gave us the opportunity to score. But, we have to do better as a whole, making sure we're getting first downs and stringing plays together."

Yeah, but it happens every third quarter. I understand today maybe things didn't work out in the third quarter and you needed to execute better, but you can say that about nine games. So, why is it a continuing pattern?

"If we knew that, we'd fix it right now. It's something we continue to work on to make sure we're doing everything we can to be prepared and help us win those situations."

Head coach Chip Kelly said a little while ago that this offense or this team isn't built to throw, throw, throw. Is that something you agree with? Is that something you can understand that this team isn't built to do that?

"Yeah. Most football teams, you have to have balance. There's very few teams that can throw the ball on every down and be successful. This offense is built on being balanced and having a run game to support it as well."

What about their defense? Are there any specific things, problems they presented for you guys? Are they the same old Patriots or did they change things up on you guys?

"They're a good football team. There wasn't anything that they caught us off guard with or anything of that nature. Ultimately, it came down to our execution and being able to make plays in clutch situations."

Early in the game, it seemed like they were bringing more guys than you guys had in to block. What can you do to take advantage of those situations?

"There's a lot of one on one matchups in those situations. Those are things we have to be able to take advantage of and win those matchups."

As one of the leaders of the team, do you worry that losing is becoming too easy for you guys to accept?

"No. I think this team is continuing to fight. Trying to figure out how to fix our problems and make sure we go out and compete every week and try to get a win."

Were you surprised by the number of Patriots fans today?

"I really hadn't thought about it, but there were a lot out there."

Does that impact you guys at all, momentum-wise or anything?

"We got out and play football. It doesn't matter if we're home, away, how many fans there are. We're going to go out, do everything we can to win."

Did you have any interaction with New England Patriots QB Tom Brady after the game at all?

"I did not."

How much did the conditions affect your throwing did you feel like?

"There was one point where it was coming down pretty good. The ball got a little bit slick. So, we had to rely on the run game a little bit more. Once things started to clear up, we got more back into our rhythm and got things rolling."

With WR Torrey Smith out, how did that change the offense?

"He's a great deep threat for us. Solid player. Defenses have to respect him. With [WR Aaron Burbridge] Burb coming in, he's a great player as well. It wasn't something that we changed the offense to compensate for that. We had another player that was ready to go."

I know you're not playing against him, but do you find yourself watching Brady? He made just a couple instinctual plays it seemed like out there today.

"Yeah. He's a great quarterback. He had a few plays that most quarterbacks can't make. Those are things that you do look at as a quarterback and see, is that something that I can incorporate into my game?"

* Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers