Colin Kaepernick tossed four touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers held off a furious second-half comeback to beat the New England Patriots 41-34 in a fumble-filled affair Gillette Stadium on Sunday night. The 49ers defense forced Tom Brady and the Patriots to go three-and-out on the opening possession and Kaepernick immediately jumped on New England’s defense. The 2011 second-round pick out of Nevada completed four of five pass attempts for 60 yards as the 49ers drove 63 yards in just six plays with Kaepernick hitting former Patriots receiver Randy Moss for a 24-yard touchdown. Turnovers from both teams were the story of the first quarter. Brady was intercepted by 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers, who returned the ball 53 yards to the Patriots’ five-yard line. Two plays later, Kaepernick dumped the ball off to No. 2 tight end Delanie Walker, who had the ball jarred out of his hands by safety Steve Gregory, with Aqib Talib recovering the loose ball. New England would return the favor later in the period when backup running back Shane Vereen was stripped by linebacker NaVorro Bowman and cornerback Chris Culliver recovering the ball at the Patriots’ 34-yard line. San Francisco could not take advantage of the excellent field position as Kaepernick would fumble the snap when the 49ers were attempting to convert a fourth-and-one play. Following a 32-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski, Kaepernick would again lead the 49ers on a quick touchdown drive that began with Talib being flagged for a 35-yard pass interference penalty and end with Kaepernick finding a wide open Walker for a 34-yard score midway through the second quarter. The 49ers would add a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to take a 17-3 lead into the break.
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49ers hold off Patriots’ second-half rally, clinch berth in NFC Playoffs with 41-34 win (Shutdown Corner)
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