The 49ers get a brief reprieve from their season-ending gauntlet against a slew of playoff teams when they face the 4-9 Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Atlanta is the fourth and final NFC South opponent of the year for the 49ers. They’re 3-0 against that division, but getting to 4-0 won’t be easy. The Falcons are playing better of late and are coming off a 40-20 shellacking of the Panthers.

To get some insight on the 49ers’ Week 15 opponent, we hit up our buddy Matt Urben of the Falcons Wire. He answered a few questions for us before making a prediction for Sunday:

Niners Wire: With Calvin Ridley sidelined, it seems like the Falcons’ receiving corps is Julio Jones, a steep drop off, then everyone else. Is there a secondary receiver you see emerging Sunday as a reliable target for Matt Ryan?

Matt Urben: Tight end Austin Hooper really has become Matt Ryan’s preferred secondary option this season. Hooper’s recent absence opened the door for second-year WR Russell Gage to have a few decent games. Last week, rookie Olamide Zaccheaus caught a 93-yard touchdown, but it was the first and only catch of his career.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see either Zaccheaus or Gage pick up the slack on Sunday. However, it’s hard to trust either of them until they show more consistency.

NW: What the heck is going on with Devonta Freeman this year? Are his rushing numbers down due to injury or is there something bigger going on

MU: It’s interesting because the Falcons brought in three new starters — two of them rookies — on the offensive line. The inexperience has caused the group to struggle. Plus, injuries have forced lots of lineup shuffling up front.

Atlanta has struggled to open up running lanes for most of the season. Freeman hasn’t looked quite the same. There have been moments where he has flashed the speed and secondary burst he used to have, including last Sunday. Early deficits have caused the Falcons to go away from the run, though, which has compounded the issue. It’s hard to say though how much of it is injury-related drop off from Freeman and how much is simply poor execution and play-calling.

NW: Who’s the best player on the Falcons’ defense not named Grady Jarrett?

MU: I would probably say MLB Deion Jones, although he’s not having the best season. The lack of defensive pressure, along with injuries in the secondary have put extra stress on Jones. He hasn’t been bad by any means, though. Safety Keanu Neal would’ve also been a great candidate if he hadn’t suffered back to back season-ending injuries.

Ricardo Allen has done a pretty good job this season, considering the circumstances. His veteran leadership has helped, but Jones is the real elite talent that this defense will certainly continue to build around.

NW: Do you think Dan Quinn will be Atlanta’s head coach next year? And should he be?

MU: I was a lot more forgiving of Dan Quinn than I believe most Falcons fans were early in the season. Bad starts happen to all coaches not named Bill Belichick. Also, the players really genuinely have continued to support him.

Enough is enough, though. Quinn has struggled for two straight years, despite having one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league fully healthy, the NFL’s least crazy elite wide receiver, and a defense that once showed great promise.

A fresh voice could good for an Atlanta team that still has a lot of talent. Perhaps an offensive-minded coach that could take advantage of the team’s many offensive pieces.

I’d say I’m about 75 percent sure that Arthur Blank will fire him.

NW: How do you think this game goes, and what’s your score prediction?

MU: I think this could be one of those games where the Falcons actually play well in the first half and keep things interesting. Ultimately, Jimmy Garoppolo is a lot better than Panthers QB Kyle Allen and I believe the 49ers will pull away late. 49ers 31, Falcons 27.