| Atlanta Falcons (3-2) at San Francisco 49ers (4-2) | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, October 19, 8:20 p.m. EST | |||
| Location: Levi’s Stadium | |||
| Where to Watch: NBC |
Week 7 Matchup
Bijan Robinson has made the Atlanta Falcons must see TV. Robinson and team are flying high after a statement performance and win on Monday night. They face a quick turnaround and a long flight to take on a San Francisco 49ers team grappling with numerous injuries.
This Sunday Night Football clash at Levi’s Stadium will be a test of resilience and momentum. With both teams sporting similar records but arriving from opposite emotional poles, this matchup is shaping up to be a fascinating battle of wills in prime time.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | +1.5 | +110 | Over 47.5 |
| San Francisco 49ers | -1.5 | -130 | Under 47.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Atlanta Falcons | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Points Per Game | 20.8 |
| 227.6 | Passing Yards Per Game | 291.5 |
| 151.2 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 82.2 |
| 20 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 21.3 |
| 139.4 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 214.3 |
| 114 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 107.3 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are coming off what might have been their most complete performance of the season, a dominant 24-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The Falcons’ defense was relentless, sacking quarterback Josh Allen four times and forcing two interceptions. This defensive unit has quietly become one of the league’s best, leading the NFL in fewest total yards allowed (253.4 per game) and fewest passing yards allowed (139.4).
Offensively, Atlanta has established a punishing ground game led by Robinson, who had a career game of 170 rushing yards and 68 receiving yards. The Falcons lead the league by averaging over 33 minutes of possession per game, keeping their defense fresh. The key will be how they handle the short week and cross-country travel. A player to watch is receiver Drake London, who stepped up big against Buffalo with 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown, asserting himself as a primary target.
San Francisco 49ers
For the San Francisco 49ers, the season has been a brutal war of attrition. The injury bug has hit them hard, with star linebacker Fred Warner now joining a long list of key players sidelined for the year. The impact was immediate, as the defense surrendered a season-high 30 points in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a “Next Man Up” mentality, the attention turns to linebacker Tatum Bethune, who will now call the defensive signals in just his second career start.
Despite the setbacks, the 49ers have remained competitive, a testament to their depth and coaching. They will get a major boost with the return of All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who has missed the last five games. His presence provides a much-needed security blanket for quarterback Mac Jones, who is starting in place of the injured Brock Purdy. The 49ers’ passing game has been prolific, but their rushing attack has struggled, ranking 30th in the league. If they hope to control the game against Atlanta’s stout defense, they’ll need Kittle to make an immediate impact and find some semblance of a ground game.
Prediction
After too many injuries, the 49ers reached a tipping point last year and faded. They may be at that point right now. The Falcons, meanwhile, can continue to ride Robinson until someone proves they can stop him. Look for Robinson to run wild, and that will mean the Falcons will at least cover the spread, but should win too.
