Falcons vs. 49ers Notebook: Mariota and Rushing Attack Fuels Atlanta to Victory

The Atlanta Falcons by no means trailed in Week 6 in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, notching two early touchdowns to leap forward 14-0 earlier than the second quarter. 

Regardless of the 49ers tying the sport early within the second, Atlanta’s protection stayed sturdy, forcing two interceptions and a scoop and rating that buried the San Francisco offense. 

Tight finish Kyle Pitts pulled down his second profession landing (and first on American soil) within the third quarter to increase the lead which all however put the sport away. 

Listed here are three takeaways from the 28-14 victory over the 49ers …

Mariota Performs Effectively, Pitts Pulls Down First Landing

With rumors circling whether or not Marcus Mariota is the quarterback of Atlanta’s future, the seventh-year sign caller performed arguably his greatest recreation for the Falcons, accounting for all three offensive touchdowns. 

Mariota accomplished 13 of 14 passes for a 9.9 yards per try common and two touchdowns, whereas additionally ending third on the staff with 50 speeding yards and a speeding rating. 

The primary of two scores got here with 8:51 left within the first quarter with a two-yard strike to tight finish MyCole Pruitt to get Atlanta on the board. 

After San Francisco tied issues up with two unanswered scores; a late first-half drive ended with a three-yard landing run from the quarterback. 

Pitts, the second-year tight finish and final season Professional Bowler additionally pulled down a landing within the third quarter to increase the result in 28-14. 

This marks the second profession landing for Pitts and first at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the 2021 No. 4 decide. 

Protection Capitalizes on Poor 49ers Offense  

The Falcons protection, which had a stellar second half in opposition to the Buccaneers in Week 5, continued its dominance heading into this week. 

Atlanta’s run protection was a drive to be reckon with all evening lengthy, limiting the 49ers to simply 50 speeding yards on 16 carries. 

And thru the air, San Francisco continued to be held in verify, with Jimmy Garoppolo tossing two interceptions, together with one early within the fourth quarter. 

The defensive unit, which has got here up with massive performs all season lengthy, additionally had a scoop and rating within the first quarter to increase the result in 14-0. 

All in all, Atlanta compelled three turnovers, which proved to be the distinction maker within the victory. 

Dashing Assault Continues Dominance 

What has been the juggernaut for the Atlanta offense all of the season, the working recreation steamrolled the 49ers protection by way of all 4 quarters. 

In whole, Atlanta out-rushed San Francisco for 168 yards on the bottom, with three completely different gamers topping 50 yards. 

With Cordarrelle Patterson nonetheless on IR with a knee damage, working backs Caleb Huntley and Tyler Allgeier cut up carries for one of many high speeding assaults within the league. 

Huntley, who has seen his workload progressively improve the previous few weeks, led the way in which with 16 carries and 59 yards – each profession highs. Allgeier, the Falcons’ fifth-round decide on this 12 months’s draft, additionally topped his earlier profession highs in yards and makes an attempt, taking 15 carries for 51 yards. 

Whereas Mariota was the one Falcons rusher to achieve the endzone, the working recreation continues to be the strongest asset offensively. 

Atlanta is again on the street subsequent week when it faces Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday.

You may observe Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

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