Kyle Shanahan had a surprise for Bill Belichick and a Patriots defense expecting the 49ers to stick to their strength and attack the edges of the field.
He punched them in the gut.
Shanahan gave Jeff Wilson, a powerful inside runner but only a supporting player in recent seasons, his first start in two seasons and Wilson rewarded him with 112 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-6 win, the worst home loss of the Belichick era. Wilson had plenty of accomplices on offense, perhaps none bigger than fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who delivered blocks all over the field and who had a career-high four carries, including a 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Despite playing without their top two tailbacks — and resting their No. 3 runner — the 49ers ran for a season-high 197 yards and for the second straight week finished with 37 carries.
“Our offense doesn’t go unless we run the ball,” left tackle Trent Williams said.
