This week’s game was the perfect trap game for Atlanta to take advantage of. The 49ers came off a Monday Night Football victory in their home stadium and were forced to play a noon game in Atlanta. The NFL knows how to schedule the games to ensure their best shot at parity.
Last week, the 49ers defense saved game. They played hard and fast making up for the second half lackluster performance of the Niners offense. Coach Shanahan’s decision to step away from the run game last week continued to haunt the 49ers this week as their defense was forced to play longer and make key plays to win on Monday night.
Today, San Francisco’s defense was gassed. They struggled against a very talented Atlanta Falcons offense. Given the schedule, injuries to the receiver room and how last week’s game was played, the Niners faced an uphill battle.
Special teams also struggled today. In the second quarter they allowed a 60-yard return. Atlanta capitalized on the short field with a touchdown. Later on, in the game Eddie Pineiro missed yet another extra point. This was his fourth missed extra point of the season. Had he made it, Atlanta would not have had a two score lead late in the fourth quarter.
The 49ers first two drives seemed to indicate that they figured out a way to move past their depleted wide receiver room. The truth of the matter is that they did. However, during their fourth drive of the game, Kaelon Black allowed the ball to be punched out of his arms a mere 28 yards from Atlanta’s end-zone. This turnover occurred after Jordan James also allowed the ball to be punched out. The Niners offense didn’t see the ball again until only nine minutes was left in the third quarter. At this point in the game, Atlanta had scored another touchdown.
From there, the Falcons leaned heavily into ball control offense, limiting the 49ers offensive opportunities. Atlanta took advantage of several defensive penalties during key downs. Two third and longs were converted during their early fourth quarter scoring drive putting the Falcons up 26 to 14.
Though the 49ers valiantly clawed back in the game, they could not overcome their own mistakes. Atlanta forced four turnovers today. Two of those turnovers were freak Brock Purdy interceptions. His first interception came when he attempted to throw the ball away. The second turnover came off a linebacker who faked an interior rush but jumped up and snagged the ball at the line of scrimmage. This turn over lead to a field goal. The final turnover occurred when the ball was punched out of Kittle’s hands in the waning seconds of the game.
The bye week could not have come at a better time for the 49ers. They need to get use the time to rest and get healthy for the second half of the season.
Extra Credit:
The one bright spot in the game was Kaelon Black’s first touchdown of the season. Hopefully we see more of that in the future.
