San Francisco 49ers (5-2) – Atlanta Falcons (3-3): 20-10
By crossing the goal line with a little more than 2 minutes remaining, Christian McCaffrey, without knowing it yet, offers the victory to the 49ers. The runner succeeds in a powerful race which then gives his 49ers a 10-point lead (20-10). At the time, McCaffrey (24 races, 129 yards, 2TD; 7rec, 72 yards) was able to benefit from the help of his offensive line. An “illegal” aid which should have canceled the touchdown and cost the locals yards. But officiating is what it is in the NFL…
The action nevertheless remains significant of a regained ground game (4.5 yards per carry) of the 49ers. So far this season, McCaffrey had performed almost more in the air than on the ground. It's changed this evening and the return of certain partners is not insignificant…
On the Falcons side, the many small missed opportunities are costly. Once again, Atlanta is a little too inconsistent.
The return of the 49ers ground game
After an exchange of punts, it was the visitors who scored the first points of the match. Atlanta scores a field goal (0-3) at the start of the 2e quarter time. But the Falcons may have regrets. Because with short passes and races, Atlanta carried out a series of 19 actions and almost 11 minutes of possession. A mastery of time that is little rewarded in the end.
The Falcons' missed opportunities are also one of the “facts” of this first half. While the defense and Kaden Ellis intercept Mac Jones (17/26, 152 yards, 1INT), the attack will not take advantage of starting from 40 yards to score a few additional points.
Then at the end of the first half, the Falcons got the ball back with 30 seconds left. And in 20 seconds they reached San Francisco's 22 yards thanks to a 38-yard reception from Darnell Mooney (3rec, 68 yards). Except that on the following action, Michael Penix Jr. (21/38, 241 yards, 1TD, 1FUM) made a intentional grounding… The clock then goes to 0 seconds and Atlanta leaves without a point. The 2e week in a row that the Falcons are failing in managing the end of the clock.
On the 49ers side, after 2 complicated first offensive series, the strong return of the ground game puts the 49ers back in the race. Christian McCaffrey concludes on the ground (7-3) a big drive of 13 actions and 80 yards. On his 80 yards, the runner gains 54. We also feel the contribution (in bulk) of the returns of George Kittle (0rec) and Jauan Jennings (4rec, 31 yards) in his phases of play. It is no coincidence that the 49ers are at 5.9 yards per race at halftime compared to their usual 3 yards in previous weeks.
A fumble by Penix Jr at midfield even allowed the 49ers to add a 55-yard field goal to lead 10 to 3 at halftime.
Atlanta too fair, Christian McCaffrey concludes
The Falcons defense is suffering against the run and in the middle of the field since the injury exit of Devin Deablo, his linebacker. The 49ers press on and manage to add a field goal (13-3) after returning from the locker room.
But Atlanta is not giving up yet. A big kickoff return places the Falcons on their opponents' 48 yards. A few actions and yards later, Bijan Robinson (14 races, 40 yards; 6rec, 52 yards, 1TD) receives a screen pass and runs 10 yards powerfully for the touchdown (13-10).
After exchanges of punts (3), the Falcons move forward with 8 minutes remaining. Atlanta reaches the 49ers' 45 yards. But the visitors must then play a 4&1. The called play targets Drake London, but the receiver is well covered by Chase Lucas who passes close to the interception. Perhaps surprised by this miss, London does not catch the ball behind in his hands… The Falcons then give the ball back and almost never see it again.
Behind, the 49ers held on for 6 minutes and scored a touchdown through Christian McCaffrey. With a 10-point lead and 2 minutes to play, the 49ers defense did not panic. Better, Robert Saleh plays aggressive and multiplies the blitzes on the young opposing quarterback. Penix Jr. does not manage and his pass attempts fail under pressure. So, defending to win is a better strategy than defending not to lose…
