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| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Tot | |
| SF | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| ATL | 21 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 41 |
The last time the San Francisco 49ers played in the Georgia Dome, it was for the right to go to the Super Bowl. That was just four years ago. Since then, the 49ers have gone through two coaching changes and two losing seasons, including this season where they entered Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with a 1-12 record and having lost 12 straight games. Rumors of an organizational change surround the franchise with general manager Trent Baalke the most likely candidate to be pushed out following the season.
Sunday's game featured the league's top scoring offense (Atlanta - 32.9 points per game) against the team's worst ranked defense (San Francisco - 415.3 yards per game). A blowout was expected by most and that's exactly what everyone got as the Falcons rolled to a 41-13 lead. Kickoff was delayed because of a problem with one of the goal posts in the Georgia Dome. The 49ers started on offense and quickly went 3-and-out.
After that and a solid kickoff return, the Falcons moved easily on a 47-yard scoring drive, which was capped off with a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Devonta Freeman. ILB Gerald Hodges was inactive for the 49ers due to violating team rules. That left just two inside linebackers, Michael Wilhoite and Nick Bellore, for the 49ers. Bellore exited the game during the drive and was replaced by S Vinnie Sunseri.
On the next drive, a fumble by RB Carlos Hyde gave the Falcons another quick scoring opportunity with the offense taking over at midfield. QB Matt Ryan took advantage, drove the offense downfield, and then hit WR Taylor Gabriel for the 9-yard touchdown.
With 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Kaepernick hits WR Quinton Patton for a 12-yard pass and the 49ers' first first down of the game. Later in the drive, Kaepernick found TE Blake Bell deep for a 45-yard gain. Bell appeared to be in a tremendous amount of pain following the catch and left the game. Two plays later, Kaepernick hit another 49er tight end, this time Garrett Celek, for the team's first score of the game. It was a 16-yard touchdown reception.
| 49ers Team Leaders | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| C. Kaepernick | 20 | 33 | 183 | 2 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| C. Hyde | 13 | 71 | 5.5 | 0 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| B. Bell | 1 | 45 | 45 | 0 |
| A. Burbridge | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 0 |
The Falcons' next drive ended with a fumble by Freeman at the San Francisco 1-yard line, just short of regaining a 21-point lead. 49ers LB Michael Wilhoite recovered the football for San Francisco. While the 49ers prevented the score, the ensuing drive would last just six plays before being forced to punt.
The next drive saw the Falcons score yet again. Freeman capped off a long 94-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to put Atlanta up 28-7. The 49ers got a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half to cut Atlanta's lead to 15 following a missed field goal kick by Phil Dawson.
| SF | ATL | |
| First Downs | 15 | 29 |
| Total Yards | 272 | 550 |
| Passing Yards | 165 | 302 |
| Rushing Yards | 107 | 248 |
| Penalties (Yds) | 4 (20) | 4 (27) |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Punts (AVG) | 7 (39) | 2 (34) |
| Time of Pos. | 23:31 | 36:01 |
Kaepernick ended the game completing 20 of his 33 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Hyde had 71 yards rushing for the 49ers.
For Atlanta, Ryan completed 17 of 23 for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Freeman had 139 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 20 carries. WR Aldrick Robinson had four receptions for 111 yards, leading the Falcons. The offense amassed 550 total yards with 248 of those coming on the ground.
The 49ers will next travel to Los Angeles to play the Rams on Christmas Eve.
Injuries
LB Nick Bellore left the game with an elbow injury on the Falcon's first drive of the game. He was one of only two inside linebackers active for the 49ers and was replaced by S Vinnie Sunseri. Bellore did not return.
TE Blake Bell went down following a 45-yard catch in the second quarter. He was carted to the locker room following the play. The team was already without TE Vance McDonald, who was placed on injured reserve. He was announced as out for the remainder of the game.
CB Jimmie Ward left the game with a shoulder injury in the second quarter and was eventually carted to the locker room for evaluation. He was announced as out for the remainder of the game.
C Marcus Martin injured his ankle in the third quarter and was been announced as out for the remainder of the game.
Notes and Quotes
The 49ers set a franchise record for rushing yards allowed in a season. The previous record was set in 1978 when the defense allowed 2,363 rushing yards. This season, the 49ers defense, which ranks last in the NFL against the run, has allowed 2,468 yards.
49ers head coach Chip Kelly said Gerald Hodges being inactive was a "coaches decision." He stated that he could not expand on that.
Hodges quickly left the locker room following the game and declined to discuss being inactive against the Falcons for violating team rules.
"I thought Kap did a nice job," said Kelly. "He didn't turn the football over."
