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49ers vs. Falcons final score, results: Christian McCaffrey's two scores carry San Francisco to victory

Daniel Chavkin

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49ers vs. Falcons final score, results: Christian McCaffrey's two scores carry San Francisco to victory image

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The San Francisco 49ers have been dealing with many injuries this eyar, but all they needed was Christian McCaffrey to beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, 20-10.

McCaffrey had his best rushing output of the young season, totaling 129 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. He added seven catches for 72 yards as a receiver, leading the team in all rushing and receiving categories on the night.

As a result, the 49ers were able to overcome their various absences in the game. Brock Purdy missed another game with a toe injury, as Mac Jones got the start, while Fred Warner missed his first game since suffering a season-ending injury last week.

The win means San Francisco improves to 5-2, keeping pace with the Los Angeles Rams in a tight NFC West race.

The Falcons, meanwhile, drop the game coming off a huge win over the Buffalo Bills last wekeend, now falling behind the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South standings.

Bijan Robinson had 20 total touches for 92 yards and a touchdown, but Atlanta couldnt' get much else goign offensively. Michael Penix Jr. Threw for 241 yards and one touchdown, yet he couldn't execute down the stretch when down in the game.

Key moments in the game also came late in the first half, when Penix fumbled with 1:32 left in 49ers's territory to set up a San Francisco field goal, then he committed intentional grounding in the red zone to end the half without a score.

This game showed the difference between a 49ers team that has been successful previously and a Falcons team still trying to find success.

AllSportsPeople tracked live scores, updates, and highlights from the “Sunday Night Football” matchup between the Falcons and 49ers. Here's what happened.

STREAM: Watch Falcons vs. 49ers live with Fubo (free trial)

49ers vs. Falcons final score

 

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49ers vs. Falcons highlights, results from 'Sunday Night Football'

FINAL: 49ers 20, Falcons 10

11:15 p.m.: Atlanta's offense goes out with a whimper as Penix throws four-straight incomplete passes. The 49ers will come away with another win.

11:12 p.m.: Penix appears to be fighting through an injury on this final drive but he remains on the field.

11:10 p.m.: Penix's incomplete pass was inirtially ruled a fumble, but overturned after review.

11:05 p.m.: Before the two-minute warning, Penix finds Mooney for 18 yards and a first down.

49ers 20, Falcons 10

10:59 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! McCaffrey fights for his second touchdown of the game, giving San Francisco a two-score lead.

10:56 p.m.: On 3rd-and-13, Jones fired a strike to McCaffrey in the middle of the field to set up first and goal. It extends the drive that could potentially seal the gam.

10:54 p.m.: Jones continues to lead the 49ers down the field, this time doig it with his legs on the last two plays.

10:52 p.m.: Now on offense, San Francisco is leaning on McCaffrey to try and ice this game away. The running back has 19 yards on his last two touches.

10:48 p.m.: Facing a 4th-and-1, the Falcons choose to throw the ball but Penix is almost picked. Atlanta turns the ball over on downs.

10:45 p.m.: Penix finds Pitts for another big completion to get into 49ers' territory. Then, Tyler Algeier is injured on a running play.

10:42 p.m.: Robinson takes a Penix screen for 15 yards to jump-start the Falcons drive.

10:36 p.m.: On 3rd-and-3, Jones throws deep to Demarcus Robinson, but Robinson can't haul it in as San Francisco punt.

End of third quarter: 49ers 13, Falcons 10

10:32 p.m.: Jones gets San Francisco more breathing room with a completion to McCaffrey to get to the 15.

10:28 p.m.: The 49ers defense is able to keep the Falcons out of field-goal range, on part due to an Atlanta delay of game. The Falcons punt the ball away but pin San Francisco near the goal-line.

10:23 p.m.: It looked like the Falcons were gonna go three-and-out, but Penix saves the drive with a strike to Casey Washington for a first down on 3rd-and-13.

10:17 p.m.: Not surprisingly, the 49ers go to McCaffrey for two-straight plays, but Kyle Juszczyk can't convert on a third-down run. San Francisco goes three-and-out.

49ers 13, Falcons 10

10:11 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Bijan Robinson takes a Penix pass into the endzone, cutting into San Francisco's lead.

10:09 p.m.: After a few runs get a first down, Penix finds Pitts down the sideline for a chunk play to get in the red zone.

10:07 p.m.: Atlanta gets a much-needed big play on special teams, as Jamal Agnew takes the kickoff into 49ers territory.

49ers 13, Falcons 3

10:03 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Jennings is out-of-bounds on a third down pass by Jones, leading to another Piniero field goal.

10:02 p.m.: McCaffrey takes a shotgun handoff 12 yards for a first down on 3rd-and-4, which puts San Francisco comfortably in field-goal range.

9:58 p.m.: On 3rd-and-long, Jones is able to complete a pass to veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, extending the drive.

9:56 p.m.: We are back for the second half, with the 49ers getting the ball looking to extend their lead.

Halftime: 49ers 10, Falcons 3

9:42 p.m.: The half ends when Penix commits an intentional grounding penalty, resulting in a 10-second runoff.

9:40 p.m.: Atlanta's offense is flying before half, with Penix getting two long completions to get into field-goal range. The second was a completion down the sideline to Darnell Mooney.

49ers 10, Falcons 3

9:37 p.m.: FIELD GOAL!  The Falcons defense does a good job stopping the Niners offense, which includes a sack on third down bat is ruled an incomplete pas instead of a fumble. However, Eddy Piniero is able to make a 55-yard field goal nonetheless.

9:30 p.m.: FUMBLE! Bryce Huff's second sack of the night causes Penix to fumble and gives the Niners great field position.

9:29 p.m.:  Looking for points before halftime, Penix and Pitts connects for a big completion to get to around midfield.

49ers 7, Falcons 3

9:24 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! McCaffrey finishes his impressive drive with a score to take the lead.

9:23 p.m.: Out of the break, Jones rolls out and finds McCaffrey, who is tackled just short of a touchdown.

9:20 p.m.: At the two-minute warning, the 49ers continue to move the chains as Jones is starting to find a rhythm through the air.

9:16 p.m.: McCaffrey is already up to 76 rushing yards in the game, as he picks up another first down.

9:12 p.m.: On their next drive, the 49ers are leaning on McCaffrey, who takes three-straight carries for over 30 combined yards.

9:07 p.m.: San Francisco's defense holds firm, forcing a Penix incomplete pass and a punt.

9:05 p.m.: The 49ers commit a questionable pass interference call, giving Atlanta the ball near midfield.

9:01 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Jones turns the ball over, with Kaden Eliss picking him off to end the drive.

9:00 p.m.: McCaffrey carries the ball 15 yards as the Niners are set up.

8:58 p.m.: On third down, Mac Jones completes to Jauan Jennings down the field for a big first down.

Falcons 3, 49ers 0

8:53 p.m.: To open the second quarter, Bryce Huff sacks Penix on third down, forcing Atlanta to kick a field goal.

End of first quarter: Falcons 0, 49ers 0

8:48 p.m.: Penix makes a nice throw on the run to Mooney before Tyler Algeier runs for the first down, ending the quarter.

8:45 p.m.: An illegal contact penalty gives the Falcons new life, as they were facing a third-and-long situation.

8:42 p.m.: Atlanta's methodical drive continues as Robinson runs for a two-yard first down, getting the Falcons into field-goal range.

8:38 p.m.: Atlanta overcomes a holding penalty as Penix completes passes to Drake London and Kyle Pitts, resulting in a first down.

8:36 p.m.: The Falcons' first first down of the game comes on a Penix pass to Darnell Mooney.

8:32 p.m.: The Niners' drive stalls as Jones can't find a receiver on third-and-nine, so they punt it away.

8:28 p.m.: The 49ers follow suit on their first third down, as Mac Jones completes to Christian McCaffrey, but McCaffrey is able to pick up the first down for San Francisco.

8:26 p.m.: On third down, Michael Penix finds Bijan Robinson, but Robinson is just short of the first down. Atlanta has to punt.

8:23 p.m.: We are underway from San Francisco! The Falcons will get the ball first.

8:11 p.m.: Michael Penix continues his sophomore season with another primetime showcase.

7:41 p.m.: George Kittle is back for the 49ers for the first time since Week 1 after dealing with a hamstring injury.

7:21 p.m.: For the Falcons, there are no unexpected inactives.

7:01 p.m.: Brock Purdy will miss the game, meaning Mac Jones gets another start. Ricky Pearsall is also inactive for the 49ers.

6:51 p.m.: Bijan Robinson arrives to the stadium looking to build on his already-impressive season.

Where to watch 49ers vs. Falcons

49ers vs. Falcons start time

  • Date: October 19
  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

The Sunday night matchup between the Falcons and 49ers will begin at 8:20 p.m. ET, which is 5:20 p.m. Local time in San Francisco.

What channel is 49ers vs. Falcons on today?

  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live stream: Peacock, Fubo

NBC will have the broadcast of Falcons vs. 49ers on Sunday night as Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth on the call. Viewers looking for a live streaming option can use Peacock or Fubo, the latter offers a free trial for new users.

Falcons schedule 2025

DateOpponentTime (ET)TV Channel
10/19@ 49ers8:20 p.m.NBC
10/26vs. Dolphins1:00 p.m.CBS
11/2@ Patriots1:00 p.m.CBS
11/9vs. Colts9:30 a.m.NFL Network
11/16vs. Panthers1:00 p.m.Fox
11/23@ Saints4:25 p.m.Fox
11/30@ Jets1:00 p.m.Fox
12/7vs. Seahawks1:00 p.m.Fox
12/11@ Buccaneers8:15 p.m.Prime Video
12/21@ Cardinals4:05 p.m.Fox
12/29vs. Rams8:15 p.m.ESPN
TBDvs. SaintsTBDTBD

49ers schedule 2025

DateOpponentTimeTV Channel
10/19vs. Falcons8:20 p.m.NBC
10/26@ Texans1:00 p.m.Fox
11/2@ Giants1:00 p.m.CBS
11/9vs. Rams4:25 p.m.Fox
11/16@ Cardinals4:05 p.m.Fox
11/24vs. Panthers8:15 p.m.ESPN
11/30@ Browns1:00 p.m.CBS
12/14vs. Titans4:25 p.m.Fox
12/22@ Colts8:15 p.m.ESPN
12/28vs. Bears8:20 p.m.NBC
TBDvs. SeahawksTBDTBD

 

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