Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

For the second straight week, the Patriots were not competitive in a 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Jacoby Brissett and the offense continue to struggle while the defense is all of a sudden banged up and inconsistent. It all adds up to a second consecutive loss.

Here are seven thoughts on the loss to San Francisco.

1. Offensive futility: The offense continues to be a problem. The Patriots managed just 215 yards of total offense in the loss. Protection continues to be an issue, the running game cannot be counted on because of Rhamondre Stevenson’s ball control issues and they lack a play making threat at receiver. You can blame it on offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, but he isn’t working with much.

2, Stevenson’s fumble troubles continue: Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled once again, his fourth fumble in four games. If you cannot count on your best offensive player to take care of the ball, you have no shot. It is really is that simple.

3. Injuries pile up: The Patriots lost two more players yesterday when David Andrews left early with a shoulder injury and then they lost safety Kyle Dugger and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace with ankle injuries. The Patriots are not good enough to have this many injuries and survive them. The depth just isn’t there. We should get updates on the status of each player this week.

4. Defense bending and breaking: The defense hung in there for most of the game but they continue to have communication break downs on the back end and they gave big plays once again. Fundamentally, this unit is continuing to struggle. Injuries are certainly a part of the problem but this unit needs to start playing because whether they like it or not, they have to carry the load with this team.

5. Over coaching situations: The Patriots coaching once again over coached in certain situations. You weren’t going to win this game kicking field goals, you knew that going in. It is why I don’t understand why Jerod Mayo passed on an early four down situation and then over thought another one in which the Patriots tried to get the 49ers to jump offside, took a timeout and then ran a running play that got stuffed. Either go for it or kick the field goal. It is not that complicated. But don’t try to “outsmart” the other team. The 49ers coaches and players have been around a while and they are good.

6. Slye sets record: Kicker Joey Slye connected on a 63 yard field at the end of the first half, which is a Patriots record. The previous record was a 62 yard field goal by set by Stephen Gostkowski. Slye has been a model of consistency thus far for this Patriots team. One of the few bright spots so far this season.

7. Patriots were overmatched: Yesterday was an example of what talent can do and what a lack of talent cannot. The 49ers are loaded and have arguably the best roster in the NFL. The Patriots on the other hand have one of the worst rosters in the league and cannot match up with a team of San Francisco’s caliber. It is simply a fact of life in the NFL.