The Falcons face the perfect opponent to get better against when they take on the 49ers. A loss to Tampa Bay last week was Atlanta’s second in three games after a 5-0 start and coach Dan Quinn knows what it takes to beat San Francisco after coordinating Seattle’s Legion of Boom defense the previous two years. It seems everyone beats the Niners these days with last week’s loss their fifth by at least two touchdowns.
ODDS
The line opened at BookMaker with Atlanta -3 and a total of 44.5. San Francisco has at least been competitive at Levi’s Stadium going 2-2 SU and ATS while being outscored by just nine points. That led to the opening spread being just a field goal. However, the line was quickly wagered to -4.5.
KEY INJURIES
Desmond Trufant – Atlanta’s top two cornerbacks exited last weekend’s game with injuries. Trufant suffered a lower back injury and Robert Alford left with a groin injury. Their absence left the Falcons inexperienced in the secondary at a crucial point. Both players are questionable to play on Sunday. Phillip Adams and Jalen Collins are listed as backups on the Falcon’s depth chart and could be pushed into duty depending on the severity of the injuries.
Reggie Bush – Hurt his knee after slipping on the concrete in the Edward Jones Dome. The Niners also lost running back Mike Davis with a fractured hand. Starting running back Carlos Hyde was inactive with a foot injury, leaving recent practice squad call up Kendall Gaskins as the only healthy back. The Niners will work out several running backs this week, including Ben Tate.
KEY MISMATCH
The Falcons continue to move the football on offense but a rash of turnovers and costly penalties have been their demise while losing two of their last three games. Atlanta turned the ball over four times last weekend despite churning out 496 yards of offense compared to 290 for Tampa Bay. Quarterback Matt Ryan had spectacular numbers in a losing effort, completing 37 of 45 passes for 397 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but was responsible for two of the team’s turnovers with an ill-advised pass that was intercepted and losing a fumble. It’s been clearly evident that the only team to beat the Falcons is the Falcons. Atlanta’s passing game is much more than just Julio Jones. Tight end Jacob Tamme has emerged as a consistent threat and caught 10 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown last week. Jones had his usual big day with 12 catches on 13 targets, 162 yards and a score. Expect the Falcons to limit, or even eliminate the costly turnovers, and have their way against the Niners 28th-ranked defense.
KEY STAT
13.6 – San Francisco’s scoring average. The Niners are last in the NFL and have failed to score a touchdown in their last two games and in three of the last five. Atlanta surrenders 21.6 points per game to rank 13th in the league.
BETTING ANGLE
Jim Tomsula has always said that Colin Kaepernick is his quarterback. But he failed to do so following the 49ers loss to St. Louis last weekend. Tomsula said every player is being evaluated after his team lost 27-6 and failed to score a touchdown for the second straight game and third in five, and he didn’t name his starter for Sunday’s home game against the Falcons. Kaepernick’s status is suddenly uncertain for a Niners team looking for any possible spark after another dismal offensive performance. Kaepernick has passed for just 286 yards the last two games, raising questions about whether a change needs to be made. Perhaps more than just at quarterback, too. Several teammates reportedly want to see the quarterback benched and “think he needs time on the bench to clear his head.”
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There’s more turmoil in the 49ers clubhouse following another embarrassing defeat. Tomsula didn’t back his starting quarterback after another game without a touchdown, leading many to believe Blaine Gabbert might get a crack at running the dysfunctional offense. The Niners failed to score a touchdown for the second straight game and lost by at least 14 points for the fifth time this NFL season, which doesn’t say much for the talent level on this squad or the willingness to fight when things get tough. The Falcons continue to hurt themselves with turnovers and penalties and with a little more discipline they could be an undefeated team. Alas, they are not and are coming off a dreadful display against Tampa Bay in which they turned the ball over four times and failed to get a takeaway. Quinn has constantly preached ball security on offense and taking the ball away on defense. I expect the Falcons to be more careful holding onto the football and they should be able to stop the Niners offense. Everyone else has.
Atlanta 23, San Francisco 12
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