SANTA CLARA — Here is how the 49ers (5-2) graded in Sunday night’s 20-10 home win over the Atlanta Falcons (3-3):
PASS OFFENSE: B-
Don’t be fooled by the fact Mac Jones got sacked on his first snap (courtesy of Dominick Puni’s protection) en route to Jones’ worst statistical outing in five starts (152 yards, 17-of-26, no touchdowns, one interception). On third down, Jones converted six times, including a critical third-and-13 connection to Christian McCaffrey for a 17-yard gain to set up McCaffrey’s 4-yard touchdown run that iced the game. The biggest hit Jones said he endured was from making the tackle on a second-quarter interception that bounced off Jauan Jennings’ hands at the 18-yard line. Another ugly drop: Demarcus Robinson on a 40-yard bomb at the Falcons 25 on third-and-3.
RUN OFFENSE: A
George Kittle had no receptions in his return from a five-game hiatus, but Christian McCaffrey credited Kittle’s presence – and overall great offensive line blocking — for helping spring the 49ers’ 39-carry, 174-yard rushing attack. McCaffrey breached 100 rushing yards for the first time since 2023 (24 carries, 129 yards, two touchdowns), and understudy Brian Robinson added a season-high 36 yards. Not so great: Kyle Juszczyk getting stopped for a 2-yard loss when the Falcons beat blocks by Kittle and Kendrick Bourne.
PASS DEFENSE: A-
An appealing mix of Bryce Huff blastoffs from left end and linebacker blitzes up the middle paid dividends against Michael Penix, who threw for 241 yards and a touchdown but often zipped passes into the sidelines (21-of-38 overall). Huff’s strip sack and Alfred Collins’ fumble recovery led to a 49ers field goal and 10-3 halftime lead. Deommodore Lenoir nearly made the 49ers’ first interception in 14 games but instead got called for pass interference, and later his illegal-contact penalty nullified a sack. Darrell Luter Jr. didn’t exactly excel in place of an injured Renardo Green. Chase Lucas filled in at nickel back and had tight coverage on the Falcons’ final, fourth-down incompletion.
RUN DEFENSE: A
Kudos to Tatum Bethune, starting in place of Fred Warner, and the swarming defenders who limited Bijan Robinson to 2.9 yards per carry (40 yards, 14 carries) with no run longer than eight yards. Robinson did get past Huff, Bethune, Dee Winters, and Ji’Ayir Brown on a touchdown run. “They were the No. 1 running team in the NFL. That’s their bread and butter, so we knew if we shut that down, we could get after the quarterback, and we ultimately did that,” Collins said.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B
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To quote Kittle: “How fun is Eddy? Love that guy.” Eddy Pineiro made both his field-goal attempts (55 and 43 yards) and is 17-of-17 since replacing Jake Moody in Week 2. Malik Turner, a wide receiver elevated from the practice squad, made three noticeable tackles on kickoff returns. Skyy Moore remained the return specialist, with an 8-yard punt return and a 26.5-yard average on two kick returns. The Falcons’ lone touchdown was set up by a 45-yard kick return.
COACHING: A
Kyle Shanahan, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the entire staff made sure to avoid a second straight loss and third in four games by dialing up the right remedy. Offensively, Shanahan wanted 40 runs, resulting in 39 runs and McCaffrey’s first 100-yard output on the ground. Defensively, Saleh peppered the Falcons with timely blitzes.
