Week 7 - In a perfect world, the (6-0) San Francisco 49ers would sail into their Week 8 Bye with a perfect record of 7-0. But in order to do that, they would have to get past the (2-4) Falcons with a road win in Atlanta, somewhere they hadn't won during the regular season since 2001 after coming up short in their previous four attempts. Looking to win for their defensive coordinator Raheem Morris who was fired from the Falcons in January after serving the last two seasons as the team's head coach, things were looking up for San Francisco early on before penalties and costly turnovers helped turn the tide, making things hard on a 49ers team that was forced to find production elsewhere down their top five receivers.
With six straight road wins under their belt dating back to last season, Kyle Shanahan's offense began Sunday's game in familiar fashion as they jumped out to an early lead by scoring a touchdown on the game's opening-possession. With a heavy dose of running back Christian McCaffrey who touched the ball on five of the game's first six plays from scrimmage, CMC appeared to be in store for another one of his signature games. But after taking a hit to his hamstring area that would result in medical attention on the 49ers' sideline, San Francisco's elite playmaker would give way to rookie Kaelon Black who had his most productive day since the season-opener in Australia. With the Niners getting to the 1-yard line and failing to reach the end zone after back-to-back attempts by Black, McCaffrey reentered the game on 4th and 1 and leaped over the goal line for the game's first touchdown. Atlanta would answer with a field goal while utilizing running back Bijan Robinson in a similar fashion as the Niners used McCaffrey, touching the ball on three of Atlanta's first four plays following a 61-yard kick return from Zachariah Branch.
After trading punts, the 49ers found the end zone again, this time from Kaelon Black who scored his first career touchdown with a 30-yard scamper. But again, the Falcons would answer, this time with a touchdown of their own as quarterback Michael Penix Jr. found his backup tight-end Nick Muse, making it a 14-9 ballgame after a missed extra-point from kicker Nick Folk. Muse would serve his position proud as the league celebrated "National Tight End Day", an unofficial holiday made famous by San Francisco's George Kittle who also contributed on Sunday with 88 yards receiving on 8 receptions. Making it across midfield and looking to add to their lead before the half, San Francisco saw those hopes go up in flames after fumbles from running backs Jordan James and Kaelon Black on consecutive plays. After the 49ers were able to recover the fumble from James, they were unable to repeat the feat as Black's fumble on 2nd and 1 from the Atlanta 29 yard line was recovered by the defense. Holding the Falcons to a field goal, San Francisco went into the locker room clinging onto a 14-12 lead at the half.
With Atlanta receiving the second half kickoff, the 49ers quickly found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they entered Sunday's game having spent 69% of time leading their opponents this season -- the highest in the NFL. Unimpressed, the Falcons would take a 19-14 lead with Penix Jr. finding another one of his tight-ends in the end zone, this time with Kyle Pitts who hauled in the 5-yard score. After beginning to march with what appeared to be another successful drive on offense, suddenly spiraled as 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy who was flushed from the pocket, and instead of throwing the ball away attempted to do too much by threading the needle with a pass that was intercepted along the sideline by the Atlanta defense. Making matters worse, the Falcons offense would again turn the 49er turnover into points as Penix Jr. threw his third touchdown pass of the day with a 21-yarder to receiver Drake London, giving his team a 12-point lead to start the fourth quarter. Facing their largest deficit of the season, Brock Purdy and company failed get anything going on their next possession, turning the ball over on downs after the Niners QB was taken down for a sack. However, just three plays earlier San Francisco thought they had inched closer with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to receiver Jordan Watkins, but the replay officials deemed it an incomplete pass as Watkins went to the ground without full control of the ball according to the referee.
Despite all that, the 49ers would still have a chance to pull off the late comeback after forcing a three and out punt on Atlanta's ensuing possession. In desperate need of a touchdown, Kyle Shanahan's offense would get just that as Purdy found his fullback Kyle Juszczyk from a yard out. Unfortunately, Eddy Pineiro would miss the extra-point wide left, his third missed PAT of the season. Forcing another Atlanta punt, San Francisco would be given a chance to take the lead until Purdy had another pass intercepted, this time from rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels who tipped the ball to himself for the big time takeaway. By adding a field goal, Atlanta increased their lead to 29-20 as the game reached the two-minute warning. With little to no chance at a comeback, the final nail in the coffin came in the form of a George Kittle fumble that sealed San Francisco's fate, handing them their first loss of the season. After jumping out to an early 14-3 lead, it was the turnovers that did the 49ers in as they lost the turnover battle 4-0 on Sunday. Quite the surprise considering San Francisco had only six turnovers on the season entering Sunday.
Helping the Falcons claim their first home win of the season, Michael Penix Jr. threw for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns as San Francisco's defense was unable to bring the Atlanta QB down for a single sack. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy who was sacked twice on the afternoon, threw for 288 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. With the exception of Jordan Watkins who was the only 49ers receiver to log more than 50 yards (56 on 3 receptions), the absence of Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, De'Zhaun Stribling and Ricky Pearsall was on full display as newcomers Brandin Cooks and Christian Kirk were nonfactors in Sunday's loss. San Francisco rookie running back Kaelon Black tied Atlanta's Bijan Robinson for a game-high in rushing yards with 63, but needed eight fewer carries than Robinson.
Week 9 Preview: Next up on the schedule for the (6-1) 49ers is to enjoy the Week 8 Bye by recouping and regrouping before hitting the field again when they play host to the (3-4) Las Vegas Raiders. When San Francisco returns from the Bye, they will be welcoming home an old friend and familiar face in defensive-tackle DeForest Buckner whom 49ers general manager John Lynch traded for on Tuesday. After dealing Buckner to the Colts back in 2020 for a first-round pick, Lynch re-acquired Buckner who is on the final year of a two-year contract in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick in what appears to be a full blown rebuild in Indianapolis. The acquisition of Buckner will be a welcoming sight as San Francisco has had its fair share of injuries along the defensive-line in the season's early going. Buckner is expected to be ready to go when the Niners take on the Raiders in Week 9. Coach Shanahan is hoping to have a few more reinforcements in time for their next game as a number of players who missed the Atlanta game have a chance to return including: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, Nick Bosa, CJ West, Marques Sigle, Garrett Wallow, Luke Gifford and Upton Stout.
After jumping out to an impressive 3-0 start behind first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas has suddenly fallen by dropping four straight games entering Week 8, a skid that has some in and around the team ready to see what this year's first overall pick Fernando Mendoza has to offer at the quarterback position after leading the Indiana Hosiers to a Heisman Trophy and National Title back in January. Whether or not the team moves on from current QB Kirk Cousins two weeks from now if the team continues to slide is still yet to be seen. Cousins' name has also been the subject to potential trades if the Raiders decide they're ready to hand the reigns to the kid Mendoza.
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