49ers give away perfect record to Falcons’ force turnovers
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James (#29 center) fumbles the ball after being tackled by Atlanta Falcons’ Xavier Watts, left, during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
10.25.2026 – Atlanta, Georgia – The San Francisco 49ers gave away a perfect record (6-0) on two QB Brock Purdy errant throws, and two Falcons forced turnovers for a Niners first loss, 29-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The 49ers were cruising early Sunday afternoon. Even with star running back Christian McCaffrey temporarily sidelined due to a thigh injury, the 49ers’ offense was humming. Backup running back Kaelon Black had just broken free for a 30-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving San Francisco a comfortable 14-3 advantage as part of a four-play, 63-yard drive.
From that moment, however, seemingly everything went wrong for the 49ers in a mistake-filled loss to the Falcons. Even after San Francisco allowed 23 consecutive points and recovered enough to remain in the game, Purdy threw a game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter on what could have been a game-winning drive.
The 49ers (6-1) lost the turnover battle 4-0 in their sloppiest performance of the season. They committed three fumbles, two of which were recovered by the Falcons, and looked lost at points defensively. A team that has played disciplined football all season couldn’t get out of its own way on Sunday, picking up their first loss as they enter the Week 8 bye.
2026.10.25 – (49ers vs. Falcons) NFL Game Highlights
Jessie Bates III (3) of the Atlanta Falcons punches the ball out from George Kittle (85) of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images/TNS)
2026.10.25 – (49ers vs. Falcons) NFL Game Highlights
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (NBC Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (#13 center) scrambles with the ball under pressure from Za’darius Smith #55 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (NBC Post Game)
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (NBC Post Game)
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan just about summed up the game in four words: “Too sloppy to win.” Shanahan will have plenty to grapple with during the break as he figures out all that went wrong for his team.
It wasn’t a terrible day Purdy, at least on paper. He completed 27 of 40 passes, throwing for 288 yards and one touchdown. But his two interceptions — especially the latter one in the fourth quarter — came in some of the most crucial moments.
“I felt like we had momentum early in the game,” Purdy said. “Then turnovers happened.”
Purdy called his first interception, intended for Christian Kirk, a lapse in judgment. He said he tried to throw the ball out of bounds, but he didn’t put it high or wide enough, and Falcons safety Jessie Bates III swooped in to pick it off as he sprinted toward the sideline.
On Purdy’s second pick, he gave credit to the Falcons, who disguised well enough to trick him into throwing the ball straight to linebacker Kendal Daniels.
Daniels “was … up on the line of scrimmage,” Purdy said. “All of a sudden, I threw the ball and he came from the backside, tipped it up to himself. Didn’t see him or anything. So, credit to him. He made a good play, but I don’t know. In that moment, I’d like to say, ‘Yeah, I need to see him,’ but at the same time, that’s pretty tough.”
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (NBC Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins (#17 right) leaps for a pass while being covered by Falcons cornerback C.J. Henderson on Sunday. The play initally was ruled a touchdown, but a video review changed the call to an incomplete pass. Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (NBC Post Game)
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (NBC Post Game)
Another huge setback for the 49ers came early in the fourth quarter. With the ball on the Falcons’ 23-yard line and the 49ers down 12, Purdy connected with wide receiver Jordan Watkins, who hauled in a seemingly remarkable 23-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone. But it was reviewed and overturned; Watkins lost control of the ball as his back slammed to the turf.
Back on the sideline, Watkins trudged to the bench, slammed his helmet on the ground and released an expletive. Trent Williams, too, tossed his helmet to the turf in frustration.
Even before these key errors in crunch time, there were signs of disaster peppered throughout the afternoon.
Williams, the 49ers’ All-Pro left tackle, committed a false start on San Francisco’s first offensive play. It marked his first of the season. The 49ers recovered with a strong drive ending in a McCaffrey touchdown, but Williams’ mishap provided some early foreshadowing.
In the second quarter, running back Jordan James and Black fumbled on back-to-back plays, the first time San Francisco has done that since 2021. The Falcons recovered Black’s mishap and regained possession.
“That was very frustrating.” Shanahan said of the consecutive fumbles. “Yeah, it was tough.”
Late in the second quarter, the Falcons, down 14-9, weren’t threatening to score before entering the locker room. But then 49ers defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa exploded over the line of scrimmage as the play clock ticked toward zero, picking up a crushing encroachment penalty that gave the Falcons a fresh set of downs and, eventually, a field goal. A quarter later, there was the defensive pass interference on cornerback Jack Jones on 3rd-and-8, again giving the Falcons an opportunity. Michael Penix Jr. found Drake London for a 21-yard touchdown four plays later to cap Atlanta’s 23-0 run.
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, top, leaps into the end zone over Atlanta Falcons’ A.J. Terrell Jr. (24), Jared Ivey (51) and other defenders to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2026.10.25 – 49ers vs. Falcons – (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
The Falcons outscored the 49ers 15-8 after the break. San Francisco looked putrid for the final 30 minutes of a game for the second consecutive week. For a team that looked largely dominant to start the season, and hadn’t experienced defeat before Sunday, this loss will force players and coaches to look within for answers.
“I think it’s going to sour everybody’s (bye) week,” tight end George Kittle said. “Kyle’s week — I mean, he’s probably just angry at the world. But, like, everybody else? Yeah, I’m not going to be incredibly happy the entire team. But I think that’s good.”
“The feeling in there is mutual amongst everyone,” linebacker Fred Warner added. “We felt like we let that one get away, and they outplayed us today. So we do have to sit with it for two weeks.”
Injuries
49ers: Depth was an issue at wide receiver with starters Mike Evans (Achilles tendinitis) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) inactive. Receivers Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson are also out. Safety Marques Sigle (ankle) was inactive.
Falcons: Cornerback A.J. Terrell (groin) started after coming off injured reserve but his brother, rookie cornerback Avieon Terrell (back), was inactive.
Up next (49ers Roster)
49ers: Following a bye week, host Las Vegas on Nov. 8.
Falcons: Visit Tampa Bay next Sunday.
Related: See below – 49ers rally to beat Lions and secure Super Bowl trip
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
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