Around the NFC

Pitts becoming elite. Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts’ catches-yards-touchdowns in the first four games — 15/189/0. Pitts’ production in the last two games — 16/282/1. That’s why the Falcons drafted Pitts fourth overall. His 163 yards in last week’s win over Miami were fourth-most by a rookie tight end in a single game and he is the second rookie tight end to have consecutive 100-yard receiving games, joining Raymond Chester in 1970. The Falcons (3-3) have won three of their last four and host Carolina (3-4 after a 3-0 start) on Sunday.

Now what for Seattle. Terrific candor from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll after his team’s Monday night snooze-fest/loss to New Orleans dropped Seattle to 2-5 (and 0-3 at home). Life without injured quarterback Russell Wilson is 0-2. “I’ve been here a long time and if we didn’t have Russell, I probably wouldn’t have been here a long time,” Carroll said. “Think of all the magic he’s created through the years.” Carroll isn’t wrong. Wilson has been the linchpin for the Seahawks since 2012 and he covered up all kind of offensive line and defensive deficiencies. Geno Smith can’t do that.

49ers struggling. The headline in Tuesday’s San Francisco Chronicle: “The honeymoon is over.” A discouraging start for coach/denver native Kyle Shanahan and general manager/former Broncos safety John Lynch. The 49ers are 2-4 (0-3 at home), having lost four consecutive games. Hurry up and get healthy, Trey Lance. Credit to Shanahan for pointing the thumb at himself a day after the Sunday night loss to Indianapolis, saying his play-calling has been inconsistent. The good news for San Francisco — it plays at Chicago Sunday, but then season-defining home games against Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams.