Only the Minnesota Vikings have a more-difficult schedule remaining this season than the Atlanta Falcons. The brutality begins on Sunday afternoon when they host the undefeated San Francisco 49ers, who are widely considered the best team in the NFL right now.
Here are four key matchups the Falcons will have to win if they stand any chance at an upset.
OC Tommy Rees vs. DC Raheem Morris
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has one of the most-challenging assignments this week as he has to match wits with former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who is now calling defensive plays for the 49ers. Atlanta has a roughly-average offense in terms of scoring and yardage, while the Niners rank fifth in fewest yards allowed per game and fourth in scoring defense so far this season.
RB Bijan Robinson vs. LB Fred Warner
For the Falcons
offense to run right it has to go through running back Bijan Robinson, not quarterback Michael Penix. That's been a problem the last two weeks. Now Atlanta has to get Robinson going despite facing the best off-ball linebacker on the planet. Fred Warner ranks third in the league in tackles this year and his 92.2 PFF grade against the run is the best in the game at his position. Meanwhile, Robinson ranks second in rushing yards and has the highest rushing grade (90.9) among running backs.
LB Kendal Daniels vs. TE George Kittle
Atlanta may have to go without defensive centerpiece Divine Deablo this week, as he's dealing with a bicep injury. That puts more pressure on the Falcons' rookie linebackers, starting with Kendal Daniels. He has the unenviable task of keeping up with the best tight end in the NFL, George Kittle - who leads the Niners with five touchdown catches this season to go with 337 yards. Daniels' size at least gives the Falcons a chance to slow Kittle down.
LB Harold Perkins vs. RB Christian McCaffrey
With Diablo out sixth-round pick Harold Perkins will likely take his place in the starting lineup. That puts him on a collision course with superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, who has racked up 540 yards from scrimmage so far, including 190 yards as a receiver. Perkins has been very sharp in coverage, though - he has the third-highest PFF grade (83.5) in this department among off-ball linebackers.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons vs. 49ers: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 7
