SANTA CLARA, Calif. – – Even after all the success the San Francisco 49ers have had in recent seasons, a two-game skid and a series of injuries early in the season can raise doubts for any team.

Considered those who answered at least for one day.

Brock Purdy threw a touchdown pass, Fred Warner returned an interception for a score and the 49ers rebounded to beat the New England Patriots 30-13 on Sunday.

“We needed it,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “It was more than just going 2-2 this season. It was something for confidence.”

Confidence took a hit for the 49ers after road losses the past two weeks in Minnesota and against the Los Angeles Rams, plus injuries to several key players.

But the Niners quickly found their footing at home against the struggling Patriots (1-3). The defense delivered six sacks and a touchdown in its first game since losing Javon Hargrave to a potentially season-ending injury, Purdy hit three deep passes and Jordan Mason rushed for 123 for his third 100-yard rushing game in four weeks.

“It feels good to win,” defenseman Nick Bosa said. “It’s such a long year. If you look from an outsider’s perspective or look online, you would think the building is burning down. But I told the d-line guys at our meeting last night that we’ve lost some guys, but I haven’t lost confidence in this group.

San Francisco got field goals from Jake Moody on its first two drives before Warner delivered his final big play of the season, making a diving interception against Jacoby Brissett and returning it 45 yards for his second career TD. Warner has three forced fumbles and two interceptions in four games this season.

It was the first interception of the season for the Patriots, who failed to generate a consistent passing game with Brissett at quarterback, which will lead to more questions about when rookie Drake Maye will take over.

Brissett went 19 for 32 for 168 yards and was sacked six times for 25 yards. New England was held under 150 yards in each of the first four games of the season for the first time since 1971.

“Right now, Jacoby is our starting quarterback,” coach Jerod Mayo said. “I haven’t seen a movie or anything like that. He has been a great leader. …We have to watch the movie. We have a long flight to go back and watch the film and we are always evaluating every position.”

Purdy hit several deep passes to San Francisco on the day en route to throwing for 288 yards, with his TD coming to George Kittle.

The Niners were held to field goals on their first two drives after getting within 10 and it appeared they would have to settle for one goal again late in the second quarter after penalties wiped out two potential touchdowns.

But then Purdy threw a high pass for the taking that Kittle leapt and grabbed between three defenders for his second touchdown of the season, making it 20-0.

“I saw him break out. I got hit, so I thought, ‘I’ve got to give my guy a shot here and give him a chance,'” Purdy said. “I put it up for him. He made a great play, much better than the throw. He made the play.”

San Francisco allowed a 63-yard field goal by Joey Slye on the final play of the first half, then rookie Isaac Guerendo lost a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half in the final special teams blunder for the 49ers.

That set up Brissett’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper, making the score 20-10.

Purdy answered with a 53-yard pass to open the next drive, setting up Mason’s 4-yard run that put San Francisco back in control with a 27-10 lead.

Injuries

Patriots: C David Andrews (shoulder), OT Caedan Wallace (ankle) and S Kyle Dugger (ankle) all left the game in the first half and did not return.

49ers: Warner left the game late in the first half with an ankle injury and did not return. ….DT Jordan Elliott (knee) was also injured in the first half.

Next

Patriots: Host Miami on Sunday.

49ers: Host Arizona on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl