Game Day: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

Today, the San Francisco 49ers (2-6) will host the Atlanta Falcons (6-2) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The Falcons are coming off of a 23-20 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers are coming off of a 27-6 loss the St. Louis Rams.


The Falcons are the 49ers' only NFC South opponent of the season. The last time these two teams met was during the final game played at Candlestick Park, which was highlighted by an interception of Falcons QB Matt Ryan by LB NaVorro Bowman to seal the victory. Bowman returned the pick for a touchdown to give the 49ers the 34-24 win.

This time, it won't be QB Colin Kaepernick leading the 49ers offense. QB Blaine Gabbert will get his first 49ers start in place of the benched Kaepernick. Behind him, he will have a new-look running back corps. RB Carlos Hyde (foot) and RB Mike Davis (hand, on IR) will not be available for this matchup. That leaves former practice squad member Kendall Gaskins and newcomers Pierre Thomas and Shaun Draughn to run the ball, with the latter two having been signed just this week.


Thomas and Draughn have been working hard with running backs coach Tom Rathman to get caught up on the 49ers' offense with Gaskins doing what he can to help get them up to speed. The trio look to share the load at running back for the team.

WR Anquan Boldin could miss his second straight game as he has been listed as doubtful on the team's injury list. The team suddenly finds itself without healthy cornerbacks. CB Tramaine Brock (shin), CB Kenneth Acker (concussion), and CB Keith Reaser (ankle) are all listed as questionable for today's game. To possibly fill the void, the team promoted two practice squad cornerbacks to the active roster this week – Marcus Cromartie and Chris Davis.

In his first career start last weekend, S Jaquiski Tartt forced a fumble by Rams WR Tavon Austin fumble as LB Eli Harold recovered the loose ball. Both the forced fumble by Tartt and fumble recovery by Harold were the first of their careers respectively.

On special teams, DT Quinton Dial blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt by Rams K Greg Zuerlein. It marked the first blocked field goal by a member of the 49ers since 2012. K Phil Dawson connected on both of his field goal attempts on the day, including a 54-yarder that marked his longest field goal of the season. He has made 13 consecutive field goal attempts and has made at least one field goal in five consecutive games.


To say that the Falcons offense is a formidable test for the 49ers defense is an understatement. Ryan ranks third in passing yards among NFL quarterbacks, behind only Philip Rivers and Tom Brady. RB Devonta Freeman leads the league in rushing and WR Julio Jones leads in receiving yards. Freeman also ranks first in rushing touchdowns (9), four scores more than the back in second place.

What They Are Saying

"NaVorro's a great player. I think he's looked really, really good. He's gotten better as the year has gone on. I'm sure that he's feeling more like himself out there, but he's as good a linebacker as there is in this league. He's physical. Plays really, really well against the run. When they pressure with him, he's very good at blitzing and he's great in pass coverage. So, he's a tough player to go against." – Falcons QB Matt Ryan on LB NaVorro Bowman

"It's a really classy organization that has had tons of success. So, I was fortunate to be able to start my career there. Some really unique guys, from Bill Walsh to Terry Donahue, Bill McPherson and Steve Mariucci. There were all these unique guys where I went there and thought I knew some things about football and I got there and was like, man, I don't know anything about football." – Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn on the 49ers


Kickoff: Sunday, November 8 at 1:05 PM PT

Television: The game will be televised on FOX (Check 506 Sports to see if it is local)

Bay Area Radio: KGO 810 & The Bone 107.7 (Other radio affiliates)

Spanish Radio: KTRB 860

All-Time Matchup: 49ers lead series 46-30-1

Last Meeting: 12/23/13, 49ers win 34-24, at SF

Current Streak: Won 2

Betting: The Falcons are 7.5 point favorites

NFL Fan Picks: 76% pick the Falcons to win according to Yahoo! Sports

49ers Fan Picks: Within our Pick 'em Contest, 75% believe the Falcons will win

49ers Schedule: View full schedule

Falcons News: Falcons news at Problitz.com

Follow Game Online: NFL.com's Game Center

Discuss: Niner Talk forum

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Team	Pos	Player	Injury	Status
49ers	RB	Mike Davis	Hand	Out
49ers	RB	Carlos Hyde	Foot	Out
49ers	S	L.J. McCray	Knee	Out
49ers	WR	Anquan Boldin	Hamstring	Doubtful
49ers	CB	Kenneth Acker	Chest, concussion	Questionable
49ers	CB	Tramaine Brock	Shin	Questionable
49ers	TE	Garrett Celek	Concussion	Questionable
49ers	CB	Keith Reaser	Not injury related, ankle	Questionable
49ers	G	Alex Boone	Knee	Probable
49ers	LB	NaVorro Bowman	Shoulder	Probable
49ers	LB	Ahmad Brooks	Shoulder	Probable
49ers	P	Bradley Pinion	Right calf	Probable
49ers	S	Eric Reid	Chest	Probable
49ers	T	Joe Staley	Shoulder	Probable
Falcons	CB	Robert Alford	Groin	Out
Falcons	LB	Justin Durant	Calf	Out
Falcons	WR	Leonard Hankerson	Hamstring	Out
Falcons	S	William Moore	Groin	Out
Falcons	LB	Vic Beasley Jr.	Foot	Questionable
Falcons	DT	Jonathan Babineaux	Not injury related	Probable
Falcons	DE	Tyson Jackson	Ribs	Probable
Falcons	G	Mike Person	Ankle	Probable
Falcons	C	James Stone	Calf	Probable
Falcons	CB	Desmond Trufant	Back	Probable
Falcons	WR	Nick Williams	Hamstring	Probable

Falcons		49ers
26.6 (7th)	Offense Pts	13.6 (32nd)
414.8 (4th)	Offense Yds	282.2 (32nd)
288.8 (5th)	Offense Pass	181.1 (31st)
126.0 (8th)	Offense Rush	101.1 (18th)
21.6 (13th)	Defense Pts Allowed	25.9 (23rd)
345.4 (11th)	Defense Yds Allowed	403.8 (29th)
262.0 (24th)	Defense Pass Allowed	280.0 (28th)
83.4 (3rd)	Defense Rush Allowed	123.8 (23rd)

Articles to be added as they become available.

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