The Atlanta Falcons ended the San Francisco 49ers’ unbeaten start to the season with a 29-20 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, forcing four turnovers to overturn an early 14-point deficit and drop the visitors to 6-1.
Brock Purdy threw two interceptions, the second a game-sealing pick by Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels, and George Kittle fumbled on his final reception to end any late hope.
San Francisco Lose Control of a Game They Led
The 49ers started as though the afternoon would be routine. Christian McCaffrey capped the opening drive with a one-yard touchdown run, and rookie Kaelon Black scored from 30 yards on the first play of the second quarter to make it 14-3.
From there Atlanta took over. Black lost a fumble, the first of his NFL career, and the Falcons went in front and stretched the lead to 26-14, aided by a scoring drive on which four first downs came courtesy of San Francisco penalties. The 49ers were flagged seven times for 55 yards across the game.
Kyle Juszczyk caught a touchdown pass from Purdy for San Francisco’s third and final score, but by then the margin was too great. Purdy finished 27 of 40 for 288 yards with a touchdown and the two interceptions, a passer rating of 75.8.
Michael Penix Jr. was the more efficient quarterback, going 23 of 30 for 192 yards and three touchdowns as Atlanta improved to 3-4. San Francisco failed to sack him before the Falcons had established their 26-14 lead, with Nick Bosa still absent since a Week 2 calf injury.
McCaffrey finished with seven carries for 39 yards and the touchdown plus six catches for 61 yards, leaving in the first half with a thigh injury before returning. He joined Marshall Faulk as the only players in league history with more than 70 rushing and more than 30 receiving touchdowns. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel inactive, the 49ers receiving group offered Purdy very little.
Minnesota Stay Perfect, Cincinnati Explode After Half-Time
The Minnesota Vikings are the league’s only remaining unbeaten side at 6-0 after a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, sealed by a Harrison Smith interception in a game their defence effectively carried. Indianapolis fall to 2-5.
The most dramatic swing came in Cincinnati, where the Bengals and Ravens were scoreless at half-time before the hosts scored 35 points in the second half to win 35-13. Joe Burrow drove the surge and Cincinnati’s defence shut Baltimore down entirely after the break.
The Los Angeles Rams were similarly emphatic in the other direction, leading the Las Vegas Raiders 28-6 at half-time and winning 35-21 behind a strong ground game. Matthew Stafford set the franchise record for passing touchdowns during the win. Las Vegas have now lost four straight.
Tampa Bay ran for 258 yards in a 43-13 defeat of Carolina, Bucky Irving leading the way while the Buccaneers defence sacked Bryce Young repeatedly.
Close Finishes and a First Win for Miami
Detroit beat Green Bay 20-17 despite several turnovers, a botched snap and a series of stalled drives. Jared Goff threw for 303 yards and a late field goal settled it after Packers rookie kicker Trey Smack missed two short attempts.
The New York Giants beat the Houston Texans 27-21 in overtime, Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary carrying the running game while Houston’s secondary struggled again.
Cleveland recovered from 14-0 down to beat Tennessee 27-24, Deshaun Watson leading another game-winning drive and Andre Szmyt kicking a field goal at the death. Quinshon Judkins scored twice.
Miami claimed their first win under Jeff Hafley, beating the New York Jets 28-25 in a game that was also the first all season in which the Dolphins led at half-time. The Jets’ late collapse included squandering a goal-line opportunity from a yard out.
Denver beat Arizona 30-16, revived by a 62-yard scrambling touchdown from Bo Nix and a 52-yard screen score for RJ Harvey, with Jacoby Brissett under pressure throughout.
Pittsburgh Win in Paris
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New Orleans Saints 16-10 in Paris, grinding out long drives against a Saints side restricted to very little. Aaron Rodgers found DK Metcalf with the deep ball that set up Pittsburgh’s only touchdown.
The round had opened on Thursday night with the Chicago Bears beating the New England Patriots 30-24. Kansas City’s visit to Seattle closed the Sunday schedule, with Dallas at Philadelphia to follow on Monday night.
