Kaden Elliss INT gives much-needed spark vs. 49ers
As the San Francisco 49ers came out after Atlanta’s field goal and NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico informed the NFL world that Divine Deablo had left the game, my heart sank.
Immediately, Kyle Shanahan started running plays and throwing routes directly where fill-in second-year linebacker JD Bertrand was.
So, when a third-down pass to Jauan Jennings careened off Jennings’ hands and into the waiting arms of linebacker Kaden Elliss, an immediate smile went to my face.
With Divine Deablo officially out of the game with an injured forearm, the Falcons’ defense needed to find ways to continue attacking a San Francisco front that wanted to run the football down Atlanta’s throat. Alas, they failed to do so, but Elliss making a big play was a reminder that he can do so, and how important he’ll be if the Falcons are without Deablo for any length of time.
Bijan Robinson makes mincemeat of the 49ers’ secondary to cut SF’s lead to 3
Other than the important part of keeping his 100-yards-from-scrimmage streak intact, Atlanta had not really utilized Bijan Robinson in the first half. However, as Atlanta took the field in the third quarter, they made it a priority to get the ball in the hands of their Offensive Player of the Year candidate. On their six-play, 52-yard touchdown drive, Robinson touched the ball four times for 27 yards, including a hard-fought 10 yards to finally bring the Falcons into the end zone.
Coming into this week, the Falcons’ offense ranks 24th in passing success rate in the first half. In the second half, the success rate skyrockets to 11th, including 1st in the 4th quarter, according to rbsdm.com. If the early parts of this season were any indicator, Penix and company should have had the 49ers right where they wanted them; alas.
Drake London snags a one-hander for a key first down
With Ray-Ray McCloud III out, even more of the responsibility has been put on the Falcons’ pass catchers to lift the floor of this passing offense. While Pitts was the main target-getter, Drake London is the one who has been making the highlight plays for this offense, including this incredible one-handed snag to get the Falcons into San Francisco territory.
That’s kind of it for big plays, outside of a couple of impressive ones by Zach Harrison and Leonard Floyd. Re-live these fun moments, because the alternative is stewing over a loss.
