Hurts' rebounds from sloppy start to get overtime win over Garoppolo, 49ers
ESPN.com
If anyone knows what its like to be stuck behind a generational talent, it's Jalen Hurts. Close second? Former teammate Henry Ruggs III.
Hurts and Ruggs connected in overtime as New England escaped their home opener with a 37-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers in overtime.
Jarrett Stidham got the start and played well after a shaky opener against Seattle as he threw for 183 yards and a touchdown against San Francisco. He had a touchdown pass to Ruggs himself as the passing game, which struggled in Seattle, found its groove.
Stidham completed five passes to a former fellow quarterback in D'Eriq King, who played both running back and receiver. King had five catches for 45 yards and 2 carries for 9 yards before he left the game with a toe injury. Joining him on the trainers table was receiver Jawill Davis (3 catches, 34 yards), K.J. Osborn (2 catches, 26 yards) and Jeff Thomas, who had a touchdown catch to make up for a costly third-down drop.
While the receivers were dropping like flies, the running backs were competing. UDFA running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries with the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth, not to be outshined by Chris Evans' 65 yards on the ground as well.
A fellow undrafted free agent on defense, safety Ashtyn Davis, was also making plays. David had the sack fumble that was returned for a touchdown that gave New England its first lead in the fourth quarter. Davis also had two tackles.
Hurts finished the game 15 of 26 for 163 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 37 yards.
The offensive line continued to struggle, as did Jason McCourty in his limited reps and linebacker Elandon Roberts. Roberts' struggles continue as rookie linebacker Michael Pinckney had an interception.
The injuries to the receivers come at a tough time as Jawill Davis was placed on IR earlier in the week, joining receiver Stacy Coley. The injuries do clear up the final roster projections as New England will now need to figure which three receivers it will keep outside of Julian Edelma, N'Keal Harry and Henry Ruggs III. Meyers was once considered a lock but given the play of Jeff Thomas and Chase Claypool today (2 catches, 60 yards), he'll certainly need to fend them off.