Well, the 49ers won. Exciting for some, disheartening for the draft pick camp, but either way, there were a lot of entertaining aspects to the game. Blaine Gabbert showed he can be a decent quarterback, and Jaguars are probably shaking their heads a little bit. Shaun Draughn emerged as the starting running back, at least for one week. The defense stepped up in a big way, with NaVorro Bowman having his best game of the year, and Dontae Johnson looking great on a couple big pass break-ups against Julio Jones.
The 49ers improve to 3-6, and while that hurts draft positioning, it is good to see some players showing their talent, young and old alike. The 49ers now head into their bye week, and begin preparations for an always tough game up in Seattle. The 49ers are not particularly good, and the Seahawks seem to be almost a shadow of their Super Bowl self. If Blaine Gabbert can go into Seattle and put up a halfway decent performance, I will definitely give him a lot more credit than he gets for beating a not so good Falcons defense. Credit to him for executing against them, but for now, let's not pretend this is the same as facing the Seahawks or Rams.
Sorry to be the Debbie Downer this morning, but it is important to temper expectations for the time being. It's one game against a Falcons team that I thought was good earlier this year, but clearly is just kind of OK.
Recap
49ers’ quest for high draft picks hits speed bump (BASG)
The 49ers set up their 2015 last stand: Blaine Gabbert at QB, a revived NaVorro Bowman, and still a long ways to go (Kawakami)
Report card: 49ers bounce back with Gabbert, backups (Barrows)
Blaine Gabbert Throws for 185 yards, 2 TDs in Win vs. Falcons (49ers.com)
Blaine Gabbert threw two touchdown passes as the 49ers beat the favored Falcons 17-16 (Biderman)
Gabbert propels 49ers to win over fading Falcons (NFL.com)
Gabbert, defense lead 49ers past Falcons 17-16 (Inman)
Surprise! Gabbert Leads 49ers to Upset Falcons (NBC Bay Area)
Blaine Gabbert, defense lead San Francisco 49ers to win over Falcons (Gutierrez)
49ers shock Falcons with 17-16 win: Game recaps from Nov. 8 (49ers Webzone)
Video
Jaquiski Tartt Talks about Big Hit on Julio Jones
Jim Tomsula Reacts to 49ers 17-16 Win vs. Falcons
Blaine Gabbert on his First Start: 'I Felt Great'
Garrett Celek Recaps Two-Touchdown Performance
NaVorro Bowman Analyzes Defense in Week 9 Win
49ers Week 9 Postgame Locker Room Speech
Full Highlights: 49ers vs. Falcons in Week 9
Shaun Draughn: 'We Were Hungry for a Win'
Eric Reid: 'Young Guys Stepped Up Huge for Us'
Kendall Gaskins Speaks with the Press after Win
49ers' Blaine Gabbert just wants to compete and have fun (Sac Bee)
In first start in two years, Blaine Gabbert leads 49ers over Falcons (Sac Bee)
Blaine Gabbert
49ers Gabbert not assured he'll remain starter (Inman)
Gabbert plays well, but Tomsula does not name him starter (Maiocco)
Jim Tomsula Reviews Blaine Gabbert's Performance, Addresses QB Situation Moving Forward (49ers.com)
Blaine Gabbert gets 49ers a win but no commitment for next game (Barrows)
49ers coach Jim Tomsula was reluctant to name Blaine Gabbert his starter in the team's next game against the Seahawks (Biderman)
Castaways offer lifeline in 49ers’ win - SFGate (Branch)
Journey puts Blaine Gabbert’s return to starting in perspective (Ostler)
Kaepernick Watch: 49ers' backup QB doesn't pout, supports Gabbert's impressive debut (Steward)
The Blaine Gabbert Era begins (Thompson)
Blaine Gabbert Makes Case to Retain Starting Job in Win over Falcons (49ers.com)
Jim Tomsula noncommittal on Blaine Gabbert as 49ers quarterback (Gutierrez)
Teammates applaud Gabbert's toughness after beating Falcons (Maiocco)
Defense
NaVorro Bowman: I Always Look Forward to Playing the Falcons (49ers.com)
49ers notes: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers defense play like previous versions (Barrows)
The 49ers benefitted greatly from Falcons coach Dan Quinn's decision to kick a late field goal (Biderman)
49ers' Johnson makes game-saving play on Falcons' Jones (Maiocco)
Shaun Draughn
49ers notes: Draughn nets 96 yards among RB rotation (Inman)
Draughn starts, Gaskins finishes at RB in 49ers' win (Maiocco)
Running back Shaun Draughn provided the 49ers an unexpected lift in Sunday's win (Biderman)