Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons dominate the San Francisco 49ers, 41-13

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:52 p.m. ET

Fansided, John Follett/FanSided via Blogging Dirty

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The Atlanta Falcons refused to the take their foot of the gas, cruising to another big win on Sunday.

From the game’s opening drive, the San Francisco 49ers looked completely over-matched. The Atlanta Falcons dominated the trenches and moved the ball with ease. It wasn’t a perfect a game, but is another statement win from the team now 3rd in the NFC playoff picture.

Give the game ball to the Falcons’ offensive line who obliterated San Francisco’s defensive front. Not only were the running lanes wide open, but the unit combined for 1 pressure on Matt Ryan all game. It’s refreshing to see the offensive line play strong after struggling to find their rhythm earlier in the year.

Devonta Freeman ran like a man possessed, carrying 20 times for 139 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was actually close to 4 touchdowns but fumbled inside the 1-yard line during the 2nd quarter. Freeman would make up for it in breaking 3 tackles and rumbling his way into the end zone on Atlanta’s next possession.

If you think @devontafreeman can be stopped…

Think again!! ???? #RiseUp https://t.co/qy5eM8Lytd

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2016

For the second straight week, Matt Ryan spread the ball around while finding gaping holes in the 49ers’ zone coverage. Ryan completed passes to 9 different receivers but none were bigger today than Aldrick Robinson. Robinson caught 4 passes for 111 yards, to include a 59-yard catch and run in the 3rd quarter.

Mohamed Sanu caught 3 passes for 44 yards in his return from a groin injury.

If there was a weakness for the Falcons today, it was on the defensive side of the ball. The 49ers made some big passing plays up the hashes, a product of the Falcons having to spy Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick didn’t do any significant damage with his legs, but his offense showed signs of life in the 2nd quarter.

Dan Quinn’s defense made some effective adjustments and shut the 49ers out in the 2nd half. Carlos Hyde posted a handful of nice runs but was held to 71 yards on 13 carries. All in all, most of what the 49ers got away with was the product of Atlanta’s young defensive secondary.

For just the 3rd time in team history, the Atlanta Falcons have scored 40 points in back-to-back weeks. San Francisco is weak opposition, but the box score will see the Falcons’ bandwagon loading up again by Tuesday.

The competition is stiffer next week with a trip to Carolina.