Falcons (4-9) at 49ers (11-2)
Sunday, 4:25 pm ET, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 11
Falcons keys to victory: The Falcons have to get a big game from RB Devonta Freeman. The 49ers’ pass rush drives their defense, and a dual-threat back like Freeman can give them trouble. If QB Matt Ryan can stay upright and have an efficient game to keep the 49ers’ offense off the field, the Falcons have a chance. On defense, they have to dominate the edges. Setting the edge with DE Takkarist McKinley and blowing up the pocket with DT Grady Jarrett can slow the 49ers’ run game and force them to become one-dimensional. Forcing QB Jimmy Garoppolo to throw too much is the best way to limit the 49ers.
49ers’ keys to victory: The 49ers have to get behind their run game against a Falcons run defense that’s struggled. RB Raheem Mostert has broken out, and RB Matt Breida is explosive and finally healthy. San Francisco’s offense is unstoppable when its run game gets rolling. On defense, San Francisco has to hit Ryan early and often. He’s been sacked 39 times this season, and DE Nick Bosa and DL Arik Armstead, along with the rest of the 49ers’ defensive line, could be primed for a huge day.
Matchup to watch: Falcons’ Jarrett vs. 49ers LG Laken Tomlinson. It’s going to be a team effort for the 49ers’ offensive line vs. an interior force like Jarrett. Tomlinson will see him plenty, though. If Jarrett wins that battle, the 49ers’ offense might struggle.
Who wins? The 49ers are simply more talented. San Francisco should roll in a game it needs to win to keep pace in a tightly contested NFC.
49ers, 34-20 49ers
Falcons schedule
L .... atMinnesota .... 28-12 W .... Philadelphia .... 24-20 L ... at Indianapolis ... 27-24 L ...... Tennessee ...... 24-10 L ...... at Houston ...... 53-32 L ....... at Arizona ....... 34-33 L ....... L.A.Rams ....... 37-10 L .......... Seattle .......... 27-20 BYE
W ... at New Orleans ... 26-9 W ....... at Carolina ....... 29-3 L ...... TampaBay ...... 35-22 L ..... New Orleans ..... 26-18 W ........ Carolina ........ 40-20 Dec. 15 . at San Fran. . 4:25 Dec. 22 .... Jacksonville .... 1 Dec. 29 . at Tampa Bay .. 1
49ers schedule
W ... at Tampa Bay ... 31-17 W .... at Cincinnati .... 41-17 W ...... Pittsburgh ...... 24-20
BYE
W ........ Cleveland ........ 31-3 W ...... at L.A. Rams ...... 20-7 W .... atWashington .... 9-0 W ........ Carolina ........ 51-13 W ...... atArizona ...... 28-25 L ....... Seattle ....... 27-24 OT W ......... Arizona ......... 36-26 W ....... GreenBay ....... 37-8 L ..... at Baltimore ..... 20-17 W . at New Orleans . 48-46 Dec. 15 ...... Atlanta ...... 4:25 Dec. 21 ... L.A. Rams ... 8:15 Dec. 29 ... at Seattle ... 4:25