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Patriots gamble and win, sink 49ers

Oct 6, 2008 - 12:49 AM By Tom Kent PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- The New England Patriots made the most of their week off.

Matt Cassel threw for 259 yards and a score and Kevin Faulk rushed for two touchdowns as the Patriots rebounded from an embarrassing loss to defeat the San Francisco 49ers, 30-21, on Sunday.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has now won his last six games after a bye. New England was humbled by the Miami Dolphins, 38-13, in Week Three.

"I give out players credit," Belichick said. "They were able to come back from adversity and get a victory for us. I was proud of our guys. We made plays when we had to."

Cassel, who was making just his third career start since taking over for the injured Tom Brady, connected with Randy Moss on a 66-yard bomb to even the score in the first quarter at 7-7.

"It was an important part of the game," Cassel said. "After somewhat of a slow start it got us back in the game. That play gave us momentum."

Moss, who set a league record with 23 touchdowns last season, snagged five passes from Cassel for 111 yards. It was just Moss's third touchdown of the season; in 2007, he had seven TD passes through four games.

"I think that's just what we've been waiting for," Moss said. "To really open up the offense a little bit more and get the ball downfield to make other plays work. I just think it's a good thing that we connected."

New England safety Rodney Harrison set up Faulk's second touchdown in the third quarter when he picked off San Francisco quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan's pass at the 49ers 28. Six plays later, Faulk dove in from 2 yards out on fourth down to give the Pats a 24-14 lead.

"Kevin does a great job no matter what we ask him to do," Belichick said. "Whether it's getting a first down or score on short yardage, he's just a clutch player."

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski connected on all three of his field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder late in the fourth quarter to ice the game for New England.

O'Sullivan was 14-for-29 for 130 yards, including three touchdown passes. But the first-year starter also threw three interceptions as the 49ers lost their second straight.

San Francisco could not manage a first down in the second and third quarters, going three-and-out four times and having a fifth drive end in an interception.

"Defensively we couldn't stay off the field and offensively we couldn't stay on the field," San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan said. "That was pretty much it. There just wasn't one thing."