Tag: 49ers Falcons

Brandon Aiyuk shines amid more injuries: The Good and Bad from 49ers’ Week 6 loss

Hey, it’s not all bad for the 49ers after Sunday! Some good to go along with the not-so-good. By @nicholasmcgee24:

Well, that didn’t go to plan.

The 49ers missed the chance to improve to 4-2 on Sunday, as they were upset by the Atlanta Falcons in a 28-14 defeat at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, failing to score in the second half as their offense misfired and the defense struggled to hold up under the weight of a plethora of injuries.

It is by no means a disaster for the 49ers, who still lead the NFC West at 3-3 and did witness some impressive performances even amid an incomplete overall team effort.

So who stood out and who contributed to the 49ers’ downfall in Atlanta? Let’s look at the good and the bad from a game to forget.

Takeaways from 49ers 28-14 loss to Falcons

Takeaways from another ugly #49ers loss.

The 49ers didn’t need a win against the Falcons on Sunday, but it would’ve given them a little breathing room heading into a tough stretch of their schedule. Alas, they did not get a road victory over the underdog Falcons. Instead they took home a 28-14 loss to conclude a back-to-back East Coast swing.

Here are a handful of takeaways from San Francisco’s third loss of the season:

4 mistakes that defined 49ers loss to Falcons

The #49ers loss to the Falcons was sealed with these four mistakes.

The 49ers’ margin for error has never been particularly large. Their loss Sunday in Atlanta can be chalked up to a multitude of factors, but their miscues on offense – especially in the second half – didn’t allow them to overcome some of the other problems they faced on the other side of the ball in a 28-14 defeat.

Injuries certainly played a roll and they provide some context for how Sunday’s game went for San Francisco. They don’t tell the whole story though. Their defense, while not as dominant as it had been the first few weeks, came up with enough stops to allow the offense to get back into the game. The 49ers were never able to capitalize though.

The miscues started early and they never really stopped for San Francisco. Here are the four biggest ones that stand out from Sunday’s loss:

49ers vs. Falcons: 6 Matchups to watch in Week 6

Matchups that will define today’s 49ers-Falcons game. By @nicholasmcgee24:

The 49ers are expected to move to 4-2 on Sunday with third straight win when they face the Falcons in Atlanta. However, as the Niners know all too well, the NFL does not always conform to expectations.

Victory is far from guaranteed for San Francisco at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, especially against an Atlanta team that has been more competitive than anticipated.

San Francisco rolled to victory against the same opponent late last season as the 49ers surged into the playoffs and Kyle Shanahan’s team know a conference loss to a seemingly inferior opponent would be damaging to their hopes of reaching the postseason again this year.

The matchups, though, are stacked in favor of the 49ers, and here we look at six that will be key to deciding this game.

Behind Enemy Lines: A big day for Falcons TE Kyle Pitts?

How close are the Falcons to being good? We explored with the Falcons Wire’s @MattUrben:

The Atlanta Falcons are better than they were supposed to be. They’re not liable to win the Super Bowl, but they haven’t been terrible. They’ve lost their three games this year by a combined 11 points, with worst loss of the season coming last week at Tampa Bay where they lost by just six points.

So exactly how close are the Falcons to climbing over the mountain of mediocrity so many NFL teams get stuck on? We tapped in with Falcons Wire managing editor Matt Urben to get a better idea of what the 49ers are facing Sunday at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

49ers favored to sweep East Coast swing

The #49ers are favored by almost a touchdown vs. Atlanta, but the Falcons could pose some problems in perhaps the 49ers’ “easiest” game over the next couple months.

The 49ers are favored by nearly a touchdown Sunday in Atlanta. Tipico Sportsbook has them sitting at 5.5-point favorites heading into the weekend despite a handful of injury issues on both sides of the ball for San Francisco. Looking ahead to their schedule this could be the last time they’re favored by upwards of a touchdown for a couple months.

After Atlanta they head home to face the Chiefs, then they hit the road to take on the Rams before a showdown with the Chargers at Levi’s Stadium coming out of the Bye. They also face the Cardinals, Saints, Dolphins and Buccaneers before going to Seattle for a Thursday night game. Their game after the Thursday game is Dec. 24 at home against the Washington Commanders, which may be the next time they’re favored by as many points as they are in Atlanta.

This isn’t necessarily to say the Falcons are going to be a pushover for San Francisco. Atlanta is 2-3, but their three losses have come by a combined 11 points. Their largest loss was a six-point defeat at the hands of the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay last week, and even that game was swung by a very questionable roughing the passer call on Falcons DL Grady Jarrett late.

Atlanta has struggled some defensively where they rank 27th in Football Outsiders’ Defensive DVOA metric. Offensively though they’re 10th in the NFL in that same stat despite ranking near the bottom of the league in pass attempts and passing yards.

Their run game has thrived though, and that’s where the concern sets in for the 49ers. San Francisco’s defense has been very good this year, but injuries will eventually catch up with them. Starting CB Emmanuel Moseley is out for the year with a torn ACL, and all four of their starting defensive linemen were out of practice Wednesday. There’s a chance the 49ers face one of the NFL’s most effective rushing attacks with what amounts to a backup defensive line.

It’s not that the 49ers shouldn’t be favored by nearly a touchdown. After all, sportsbooks are looking to get equal money on both sides of a number. However, just because this game is perhaps near the bottom of their schedule in terms of quality of opponent over the next couple of months doesn’t mean it’ll be easy for San Francisco.

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No schedule changes for 49ers, Week 15 game vs. Falcons still on

The #49ers and Falcons are still scheduled to kick off Sunday at 1:05 pm PT, but some of the NFL schedule changes did affect teams near San Francisco in the playoff picture.

COVID-19 outbreaks across the NFL have forced the league to postpone three Week 15 games. The 49ers’ showdown at home vs. the Falcons was not among the games shifted in the new schedule. They’re still on track for a 1:05 p.m. Pacific Time kickoff at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport posted the new Week 15 slate which initially included a pair of Saturday tilts. Now the Browns-Raiders game originally scheduled for Saturday will take place Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

An NFC West showdown between the Seahawks and Rams at SoFi Stadium was supposed to happen Sunday. It’s one of two games moved to Tuesday, Dec. 21, along with the Washington Football Team visiting the Philadelphia Eagles.

Both Tuesday games will have an impact for the 49ers since Washington and Philadelphia are both chasing San Francisco in the playoff race, while the Rams are one spot ahead of them in the playoff picture.

With a 49ers game Sunday, two games of consequence for their playoff hopes Tuesday, and another 49ers game Thursday, this will be a huge week that sets the table for the rest of San Francisco’s season.

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Studs and duds from 49ers tough loss to Atlanta

Who was good and who wasn’t in the 49ers’ loss to the Falcons?

The good news coming out of Sunday is the 49ers clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2013. The bad news is that with their loss against the Falcons, the 49ers dropped to the No. 5 seed in the NFC, going from home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a first-round bye, to a road game in the wild card round.

The 49ers were missing several key pieces on defense and it showed, especially late in the game. Here are the studs and duds from their upset 29-22 loss to Atlanta:

Stud: TE George Kittle

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kittle followed his game-winning play last week with a monster performance. He posted a career-high 13 receptions for 134 yards. The 134 receiving yards accounted for 67 percent of Jimmy Garoppolo’s 200 passing yards. Garoppolo also targeted the tight end on 17 of his 34 throws. Kittle was the largest part of the 49ers’ offense on Sunday, and without him the game would have been nowhere near as close as it was. The 49ers are used to Kittle being an important piece, but he can’t continue as their lone receiving threat if they’re going to make a run in the postseason.

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49ers vs. Falcons: 3 things that stood out in the 2nd quarter

It’s been a tight one in Santa Clara with Atlanta scoring ten points in the second quarter.

A Robbie Gould field goal at the end of the second quarter tied the 49ers and Falcons at 10 heading into halftime.

Here’s what stood out in the second quarter:

The best drive of the 49ers season

While the drive started in the first quarter, the 49ers were able to finish a 21-play, 88-yard drive in the second quarter. The drive was the longest by any team in the NFL this season, and was finished off by Raheem Mostert’s fourth rushing touchdown in as many weeks. The 49ers were able to convert on three third downs and a fourth down on the drive.

The Moseley-Jones matchup could be a problem

Atlanta responded to the 49ers’ 21-play scoring drive with a 10-play scoring drive of their own thanks to Julio Jones. Jones was targeted four times with four receptions for 49 yards with a touchdown. Of those four targets, Emmanuel Moseley was the man on Jones on both a 28-yard reception and the touchdown.

Atlanta containing the 49ers pass rush with quick passes

After a first quarter of making Matt Ryan uncomfortable in the pocket, Atlanta adjusted in the second quarter with quick passes and the 49ers have struggled. The Falcons have put an emphasis on getting the ball out quick, specifically to Jones and it’s negated the pass rush. The 49ers will either have to contain Jones or get to Ryan quicker to get back on track.

49ers vs. Falcons: 3 things that stood out in 1st quarter

The defense looked solid to start while the offense was held to a three-and-out on their first drive.

The 49ers defense looked solid to start Sunday’s game while the offense was held to a three-and-out on their first drive. However, the 49ers were able to end the first quarter with the ball in Atlanta territory.

The first quarter didn’t offer much as the 49ers and Falcons finished tied at zero. Here are the three things that stood out:

Strong first series from Marcell Harris

Harris struggled last week in New Orleans, but looked good on the Falcons’ first drive Sunday. On the second play of the drive, Matt Ryan hit Kenjon Barner on a screen and Harris made a nice tackle to hold the gain to four. The Falcons then had a third-and-4 at their own-41 when Ryan threw a pass intended for tight end Austin Hooper that Harris broke up. With the lack of depth on the defense, Harris’ first drive is encouraging for the 49ers.

Constant pressure on Ryan

The skill gap between the 49ers’ defensive line and the Falcons offensive line was on display in the first quarter. While the 49ers weren’t able to get to Ryan for a sack, they’ve been able to keep him uncomfortable in the pocket and force him to make quick throws. At some point the 49ers should be able to get to Ryan, but what they’ve shown in the first quarter is a good sign.

Playing aggressive early

After a three-and-out on their first drive, the 49ers defense was able to get the ball into Atlanta territory on their second. They faced a fourth-and-1 at the Atlanta 36-yard-line. Instead of attempting a 54-yard field goal, Kyle Shanahan elected to go for it,  drawing up a pass play for George Kittle who was able to gain five and a first down. The early aggressive call could be sign of things to come and how Shanahan calls the game.