On a podcast from New England Patriots fans on Friday night, I predicted the San Francisco 49ers would win 31-13. I was close. The 49ers defeated the Patriots 30-13. But it should have been much worse.

The 49ers defeated the Patriots, but they still made a lot of mistakes that need to be cleaned up before they face the slate of games coming up over the next four weeks. Still, the team did what it had to do. Now if only they could get healthy and stop losing players to injuries.

Here are my quick reactions as the game unfolded:

• One of Malik Mustapha’s strengths was tackling. But he’s missed some easy ones over the past two weeks.
• Oh no. Dominick Puni stands up slowly, which means Spencer Burford enters. Fortunately, Puni was only off by one play.
• It’s nice to see Brandon Aiyuk getting involved early on. But he wasn’t involved much for the rest of the match.
• Brock Purdy isn’t the runner that Lamar Jackson is, but he can hurt you with his legs.
• The 49ers’ red zone offense hasn’t been that good so far this season. Playing without Christian McCaffrey can do that.

• Sam Okuayinonu wasted no time in making an impact, forcing a fumble in the first quarter.
• This defense has moves.

• How come Purdy’s trustees can’t openly speak out against the Patriots?
• Fred Warner is a heat-seeking missile.
• And he also scores touchdowns.

• There was a point early in the game where Warner had beaten the 49ers offense.
• DeVondre Campbell is not good at reporting. I may or may not have written that sentence before.
• Who made Kevin Givens the 49ers’ best defensive lineman on Sunday?
• Jauan Jennings doesn’t hear footsteps. Hearing footsteps Jauan Jennings.
• I don’t think “The Faithful” is happy with the leadership.

• That throw from Purdy wasn’t bad either. I continue to be amazed by what he does.
• The pass rush and defense look much better. On the other hand, the Patriots offense is pretty bad. Still, it’s great to see the defense playing the way we expect them to.
• Maliek Collins is an inner force. And he made a lot of noise in this game.
• Isaac Guerendo losing a fumble on a kick return is not the way to get Kyle Shanahan to trust you.

• I’m not used to seeing Nick Bosa miss sacks.
• Jordan Elliott is out with a knee injury. This line of defense cannot continue to lose players.

• Warner is also not in the game. He has an ankle injury. When it rains…
• For the second week in a row, the 49ers’ special teams are letting the other team back into the game.
• Fortunately, the 49ers still have Purdy and the offense was able to close the door on New England.

• Ji’Ayir Brown still makes mistakes, just like young players do, but he also makes big plays.
• The 49ers’ pass rush punishes Jacoby Brissett. I don’t understand how that guy keeps getting up.
• Maybe that diving catch will get Aiyuk going.
• Well, maybe not. That was his second and final catch of the day. Both were nice catches, but he disappeared for most of the game – again.
• Through four weeks, Aiyuk has 13 catches for 167 yards and no touchdowns. Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns last week.
• Jordan Mason runs like he’s being shot out of a cannon.
• Unfortunately, Mason put the ball on the ground a few times. Neither fumble was lost, but that needs to be cleaned up.
• Jennings is great. What a catch in the 4th quarter. He has a knack for making contested catches.

• Bosa is partying today. He only has one sack, but he terrorized Brissett.
• Mason went over 100 yards again and rushed again. He’s been so good this season.
• Purdy and Jennings are seventh-rounders. Mason was undrafted. Crazy!

The 49ers are still a bit sloppy, but they dominated this game. Next up is the Arizona Cardinals. That won’t be an easy victory.