Game Day: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

Nov 8, 2015 at 12:00 AM


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
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

Follow Us: Facebook, Twitter, Google+

Injury Report

TeamPosPlayerInjuryStatus
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

Game Averages (Rank)

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)

Game Articles

Articles to be added as they become available.

Niners Face Falcons' Potent One-Two Punch
NBC

Preview: San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Mercury News

49ers-Falcons matchup could get ugly for the home team
Press Democrat

49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons at a glance
Sacramento Bee

Ex-49ers Ulbrich, Schulters on Falcons' sideline
CSN Bay Area
Enjoy this article? Follow us to never miss more!

Powered by Follow.it


Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

From the Stands: How I Scored Tickets to the Most Iconic Game in 49ers History, Part 2

By Jon Opelt
Sep 5

With the start of the 49ers season just days away, I'm eager to share my recollections of some of the most unforgettable Niners games I've witnessed. This article is the fifth installment of From the Stands. The 1981 NFC Championship was days away, a showdown between the...


placeholder image

From the Stands: How I Scored Tickets to the Most Iconic Game in 49ers History, Part 1

By Jon Opelt
Sep 5

With the start of the 49ers season just days away, I'm eager to share my recollections of some of the most unforgettable Niners games I've witnessed. This article is the fourth installment of From the Stands. I'm not just sharing my memories but inviting you to be part of this...


placeholder image

From the Stands: Lambeau Field and The Best Bad-Weather 49ers Game I Attended, Part 2

By Jon Opelt
Sep 3

As the 49ers season looms, I'm eager to share my recollections of some of the most unforgettable Niners games I've witnessed in person. Among them is a game that stands out as the best bad-weather game I've attended. The game I speak of is the January 22, 2022, NFC Divisional...


placeholder image

From the Stands: Lambeau Field and the Best Bad-Weather 49ers Game I Attended, Part 1

By Jon Opelt
Sep 3

With the start of the 49ers season just days away, I'm eager to share my recollections of some of the most unforgettable Niners games I've witnessed. The following is the second installment of From the Stands. I'm not just sharing my memories but inviting you to be part of...


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone