49ers vs. Falcons: A prospector’s guide

The San Francisco 49ers are back on the road in Week 15 as they travel to face the Atlanta Falcons. The game will air on FOX at 1:05 p.m. PT, and the broadcast team will include Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, and Chris Spielman in the booth, and Peter Schrager on the sideline.

The 49ers enter this game sitting at 1-12, having dropped their franchise-record 12th straight game last week, to the New York Jets. They were actually favored for the second time this season, but that proved to be a foolish bet. The 49ers jumped out early, taking a 14-0 lead, and then a 17-3 lead. However, the offense went into its shell, and Bryce Petty and Bilal Powell were able to lead the Jets to 20 unanswered points in the overtime win. It was yet another embarrassing loss for an organization that is piling them up with regularity this season.

This week, they face a Falcons team that has alternated wins and losses the last four weeks, but is still in position to win the NFC South. Atlanta is 8-5, tied with Tampa Bay. The Falcons close with the 49ers at home, Panthers on the road, and Saints at home. The Bucs close with road games at Dallas and New Orleans, and then a home game against Carolina. The Detroit Lions hold the second divisional bye right now with a 9-4 record, so that is also very much in play.

The 49ers have actually won the last three games between these two teams, dating back to the 2013 NFC title game. The Falcons jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter, but the 49ers stormed back to win 28-24. They followed that up with a win on the Pick at the Stick in the December 2013 Candlestick Park finale. The 49ers then won last season in a matchup of two bad football teams.

This year, the Falcons offense is looking like something else entirely. Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu are both hurt, but when the group is healthy, the Falcons offense is kind of filthy, particularly at home. They have Matt Ryan playing some of the best football of his career. They have strong receiving options for him. And more importantly, they have an incredibly dynamic rushing attack in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. I imagine with Jones and Sanu banged up, the Falcons will wisely choose to focus on the 49ers bad run defense this Sunday.

Matchups: 78
Series Record: 49ers lead series 47-30-1
49ers Away Record vs. Falcons: Series tied 19-19-1
First Meeting: 10/16/66, 49ers win 44-7, at Atl.
Last Meeting: 11/8/15, 49ers win 17-16, at SF
Current Streak: Won 3
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 – 3 times (Last 9/29/96 – 9/27/98)
Longest Falcons Win Streak: 4 – 2 times (Last 9/12/04 – 10/3/10)
Most 49ers Points: 56 (10/18/92): 49ers win 56-17, at SF
Most Falcons Points: 45 (10/11/09): Falcons win 45-10, at SF
49ers Shutouts: 4 (Last 11/23/86), 49ers win 20-0, at SF
Falcons Shutouts: 2 (Last 10/9/77), Falcons win 7-0, at SF

CB TRAMAINE BROCK

• Registered 6 tackles, 1 INT and 2 PD vs. Atl. (12/23/13)

TE GARRETT CELEK

• Recorded 2 receptions for 12 yards and 2 touchdowns vs. Atl. (11/8/15), marking the first multi-TD game of his career.

K PHIL DAWSON

• In 4 career games vs. Atl., is a perfect 5-for-5 on FGA and 10-for-10 on PATs.

RB SHAUN DRAUGHN

• Made his 49ers debut and first career start vs. Atl. (11/8/15), rush- ing for a career-high 58 yards with a career-long 30-yd. run.

DB DONTAE JOHNSON

• Tied his career-highs with 7 tackles and 2 pass deflections vs. Atl. (11/8/15).

QB COLIN KAEPERNICK

• Completed 16-of-21 attempts for 233 yards and 1 TD at Atl. (1/20/13) (NFC-C).
• Connected on 13-of-21 attempts for 197 yards and 1 TD and added 6 rushes for 51 yards and 1 TD vs. Atl. (12/23/13)

WR JEREMY KERLEY

Registered 5 receptions for 68 yards (13.6 avg.) and 1 TD in his lone game at Atl. (10/7/13) as a member of the New York Jets.

LB AARON LYNCH

• Recorded 3 solo tackles and 1.0 sack vs. Atl. (11/8/15), taking down Falcons QB Matt Ryan for a 9-yd. loss.

WR TORREY SMITH

• As a member of the Baltimore Ravens, recorded 3 receptions for 81 yards and 1 TD vs. Atl. (10/19/14).