'SNF' takeaways: Vintage performance from Christian McCaffrey lifts 49ers over Falcons

McCaffrey's 76 rush yards in the first half surpassed his total from any game this season and his 60 yards between tackles in the opening half were tied for his most in a game since 2022, per the NBC broadcast.

Atlanta simply had no answer for McCaffrey all night long and paid for it in the end. 

Michael Penix Jr. takes a beating

It was a rough outing for the second-year QB on Sunday night. Penix completed 21 of his 38 passes for 241 yards and a TD, but was sacked twice and accounted for the team's only turnover of the game.

Following a game-sealing incompletion with 1:31 remaining, Penix took some time to get up and appeared to be in some discomfort as the game ended after taking multiple low hits. To make matters worse, Penix has struggled on the road early in his professional career, falling to 0-3 with an average of 11.4 points per game. 

49ers defense has its way 

San Francisco's defense was a problem for Atlanta all night long, including this strip sack from defensive end Bryce Huff late in the first half.

While the defense still allowed Falcons RB Bijan Robinson to record a TD for a third straight game, he was held to only 40 yards on 14 carries less than a week from going off for 170 rush yards and a TD, plus 68 receiving yards on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills.

It was not only a vintage performance from McCaffrey, but it was a familiar site from a dominant defense as well. With key players like linebacker Fred Warner (right ankle) and defensive end Nick Bosa (right ACL) on injured reserve, LB Tatum Bethune stepped up with 10 total tackles and one tackle for a loss, showing how ferocious the 49ers can still be in light of the injuries.

Unusual end to the first half for Falcons

Trailing 10-3 with under a minute to play in the first half, Atlanta appeared to be on its way to, at least, tacking on a field goal prior to the end of the half after Penix found wide receiver Darnell Mooney for a 38-yard gain to get to the 22-yard-line.

After burning its  final timeout of the half, Penix was called for intentional grounding as he tried to throw the ball away. By the time the ball hit the ground, there were only 10 seconds left on the clock, leading to a 10-second runoff and a bizarre way for the opening half to end.