Kevin Stefanski framed the biggest win of his first Falcons season around patience: Atlanta fell behind the unbeaten 49ers 14-3, refused to chase the game, and beat San Francisco 29-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 25.
“We understood it was going to be a 60-minute game,” Stefanski said after his team climbed to 3-4 and handed the 49ers their first loss in seven games. He called the work of his defense and his coaching staff outstanding, and he kept returning to one number: Atlanta finished plus-four in turnovers.
"Somebody's gotta beat 'em"
Two turnovers for @KendalDaniels__ 🔥
FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/4cQDQWqTkx
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 25, 2026
How the takeaways turned the game
The Falcons had already trailed early in recent weeks, and this time the answer came from the defense. Maason Smith knocked the ball loose to end a first-half San Francisco drive, Jessie Bates III picked off a pass in the red zone and later forced a fumble, and Atlanta cut the gap to 14-12 at halftime on a 33-yard Nick Folk field goal. The four takeaways were worth 13 points, and the run of scoring reached 23 unanswered points.
Stefanski singled out the Bates interception, calling it “as good as it gets” for a safety’s hands and awareness. The defense has now forced a turnover in five straight games.
The closing plays belonged to Kendal Daniels. The rookie linebacker, who left the field with a neck injury a week earlier against Chicago and returned to full practice this week, wore the green-dot helmet with Divine Deablo out. He intercepted Brock Purdy on a late third down and ran it back 29 yards, then fell on a George Kittle fumble to finish it. Stefanski praised Daniels for simply being on the field, never mind making the two biggest plays of the fourth quarter.
Penix keeps the ball safe
The other half of the turnover margin was Michael Penix Jr. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, including 11 straight completions in the first half. His scoring throws went to Nick Muse, for the tight end’s first career touchdown, to Kyle Pitts from 5 yards for a 19-14 lead early in the third quarter, and to Drake London from 21 yards for a 25-14 cushion. London was checked for a concussion in the third quarter and cleared to return.
Bijan Robinson’s 63 rushing yards were the most by anyone on the field. San Francisco’s Purdy threw for 288 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice, and Christian McCaffrey left with a thigh injury after 39 yards on seven carries. It was Atlanta’s first home win of the season and snapped a two-game losing streak. The full scoring summary will be in the Game Center.
What comes next
Atlanta opens its NFC South schedule against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off a 43-13 rout in Carolina, at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, November 1, at 1:00 p.m. EST. Matchup details are in the Falcons at Buccaneers Game Center.
No published comments yet. Start the conversation.