The Patriots are coming off of their second consecutive loss after the visiting Denver Broncos beat them 18-12 in Foxborough.
New England opened as 2.5-point favorites (O/U 45.5) in the upcoming matchup against San Francisco, according to BetMGM. The Patriots own a 2-3 record while the 49ers sit at 3-3.
The 49ers feel as though the team is on its way to finding its identity this season, which will help during the upcoming difficult stretch of games.
"We're definitely moving in the right direction," quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said after beating the Rams. "I wouldn't say we're totally there yet. There's still a lot of football left in the season, but how we finished this game, it felt a lot like last year, just how we were controlling the clock at the end of the game, running the ball, converting third downs. That's when we really put teams away, and that's what we did tonight."
Sunday's game will be a reunion for Garoppolo, who played his first three-and-a-half NFL seasons in New England, learning from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick before a trade sent him to San Francisco in 2017. Brady, the future Hall of Fame quarterback that Garoppolo was once slated to replace, is gone, but Belichick is still there.
"It will be cool to get back to the old stomping grounds, see some familiar faces," Garoppolo said. "But we'll enjoy this one tonight, get on the film for the Patriots and everything tomorrow, and this win will definitely give us a little momentum. But next week is going to be another dogfight."
The 49ers and Patriots are scheduled to kick off on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT (4:25 p.m. ET) from Gillette Stadium.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers free agency: Trey Hendrickson reportedly set to hit the open market
Trey Hendrickson is expected to be an intriguing name when NFL free agency kicks off next week, and the San Francisco 49ers could at least explore the possibility of adding the veteran pass rusher. According to multiple reports, the Cincinnati Bengals will not use the... -
Report: Raiders more open to trading potential 49ers target Maxx Crosby
Could the San Francisco 49ers still land a deal for Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby? The Raiders have previously made it clear that their preference was to keep Crosby. However, the relationship between the team and the veteran pass rusher may now be... -
49ers reportedly open to trading Trent Williams amid contract standoff
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the San Francisco 49ers are now open to trading All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams if the ongoing contract negotiations between the two sides remain unresolved. "A resolution has not been easy and Williams is frustrated with the... -
49ers signing Patriots OT Vederian Lowe to a two-year deal
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the San Francisco 49ers are signing former New England Patriots offensive tackle Vederian Lowe to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million, with $5.75 million guaranteed. Patriots OT Vederian Lowe to the 49ers on a two-year deal worth max...