The NFL’s top rusher, Devonta Freeman (709 yards, 9 TDs), and top receiver, Julio Jones (892 yards, 6 TDs), will be on display when the Atlanta Falcons (6-2) play the San Francisco 49ers (2-6). The game starts at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov 8 and can be seen on FOX.
San Francisco was dominated by the Rams 27-6 last week. NaVorro Bowman led the way for the San Francisco defense in the loss, registering seven tackles. Atlanta also fell short, losing a close one to the Buccaneers 23-20. Jacob Tamme had an outstanding performance for the Falcons, totaling 10 catches for 103 yards and one TD. Julio Jones had a big game as well, totaling 162 yards and a TD on 12 receptions.
The 49ers, a four-point underdog, will be looking to defend their home field when Atlanta comes to town. The matchup currently has a 45-point Over/Under (O/U).
Heading into Week 9 of league action, the 49ers are 2-6 Straight Up (SU) and 3-5 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last five games, the 49ers have records of 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS. Mistakes could completely alter the game in favor of the 49ers this week, as Atlanta is among the most penalized teams in the NFL. This season, the Falcons have recorded 69 penalty yards per game.
Moving to the road team, the Falcons have a record of 4-4 ATS and 6-2 SU. The Falcons went 3-2 SU and 1-4 ATS over the last five games. If past games are an indicator, the Falcons will rely heavily on moving the offense through the air. They average 288.8 passing yards per game, good enough for fifth in the NFL. The Falcons look to exploit San Francisco’s inept offense, which averages a league-worst 12.8 points per home game. Atlanta’s third-ranked run defense has given its competition issues. Opponents have run for 83.4 yards per game against this intimidating group. The 49ers defense during the second quarter is one of the league’s worst. They allow 10.2 points per game in the second quarter. Atlanta tends to control the time of possession during games, averaging a league-leading time of 34:10.
Predictions: SU Winner – Atl, ATS Winner – Atl, O/U – Under
Notes
San Francisco is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of San Francisco’s last 15 games.
San Francisco is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Francisco’s last 11 games at home.
San Francisco is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games at home.
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta.
The total has gone OVER in 10 of San Francisco’s last 14 games when playing at home against Atlanta.
San Francisco is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Atlanta.
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta’s last 14 games when playing on the road against San Francisco.
Atlanta is 3-0 SU when leading at the start of the fourth quarter this season. San Francisco is 2-0 SU when leading at the end of the third quarter.
San Francisco is winless (0-3 SU) in games where it wins the turnover battle, and 1-3 SU when losing the turnover battle.
Atlanta is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its eighth-ranked rushing attack will face the 23rd-ranked run defense of San Francisco, while its third-ranked run defense will look to contain the 18th-ranked rushing game of the 49ers.
