49ers can't overcome miscues in season's first loss

And there was only one undefeated team left after Week 7 of the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers committed a season high four turnovers and committed costly penalties in suffering its first loss of the season. The Atlanta Falcons scored 13 points of those turnovers in a 29-20 victory on Sunday afternoon at Mercedez Benz Stadium. Combined with the Kansas City Chiefs 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Minnesota Vikings remained the lone undefeated team after their 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Despite playing its sloppiest game of the season and not having a fully healthy roster, San Francisco has a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter down 26-20 after their stellar defense got the ball back for them with 4:08 remaining in the game. However, on 3rd and 9 from their own 48-yard line, quarterback Brock Purdy never saw Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels laying back over the middle as he tipped up Purdy's pass intended for Jacob Cowling to himself and intercepted the ball returning it back to the 49ers 19-yard line. Veteran kicker Nick Folk's 31-yard field goal sealed the deal for the Falcons, who earned its first home win of the season.

“Any time you have four turnovers like that and you get zero, it’s real tough to win,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Too sloppy to win.”

San Francisco (6-1) had an impressive start with a 10 play 64-yard opening drive to start the game. Running back Christian McCaffery leaped high into the endzone, doing his best Marcus Allen impersonation, for a one-yard touchdown, his co-league leading eighth of the season. The 49ers were without star wide receiver Mike Evans, who was inactive for the game nursing both rib and an Achilles injury.

After a field goal by Folk to get Atlanta on the board, San Francisco took control of the game two drives later with its second rushing touchdown of the first half. Rookie running back Kaelon Black was untouched for a 30-yard rushing touchdown to complete a four play 63-yard drive in just 1:41. The 49ers looked to be on their way to its seventh straight victory.

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and his offense responded with a 10 play 68-yard methodical drive of its own. Penix found Kahlil Herbert out in the flat as the former 49ers running back ran down the sideline for 19-yards out of bounds at the 49ers one-yard line. Penix Jr. connected with tight end Nick Muse in the endzone for Atlanta's first touchdown of the game. Folk doinked the extra point off of the right post.

Next came the first turnover for San Francisco as they had marched into Atlanta territory on its next possession. Black was stuffed for a one-yard loss when Maason Smith knocked the ball loose from Black and was able to recover the ball. The Falcons managed to get a 33-yard field goal from Folk to close out the first half with momentum on their side.

Atlanta (3-4) came out of the gate to start the second half when Herbert returned the second half kickoff 38 yards to the 41-yard line. From there Penix Jr. engineered a 10 play-59 yard drive the 49ers defense had no answer for. Penix Jr. rolled out to his left and found tight end Kyle Pitts inside the endzone for a five-yard touchdow reception as the Falcons gained its first lead of the game 19-14.

A controversial turnover by Purdy kept the momentum rolling for Atlanta. Purdy was forced out of the pocket by the Atlanta pass rush, as he ran down the sidelines he tried to throw the ball away but Jessie Bates III made a diving interception at the 10-yard line when he got both feet down while maintaining possession. Replay review confirmed Bates III interception.

The 49ers turned the ball over on down on its next possession when Purdy was sacked by Za'Darius Smith at the Falcons 27-yard line on 4th and 10. Atlanta's defense came to life in the second half as they pressured Purdy and stuffed any attempt at San Francisco running the football.

Still the 49ers defense forced a three and out and gave the ball back to the offense. This time San Francisco hit paydirt but not before another controverisal ruling didn't go their way. Purdy threw a deep ball down the left sideline to Jordan Watkins, who filled in for the injured Evans, who came down with a very difficult catch with a Falcon defender draped all over him for what was initally ruled a touchdown. After replay review, it was determined that Watkins didn't main possession of the ball to complete the catch and the touchdown was taken off of the board. Six plays later Purdy connected with fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a one-yard touchdown reception closing the deifict to six points.

Bates III made sure there would be no San Francisco comeback on this day as he clinched the game for Atlanta when he punched the ball out of the hands of tight end George Kittle who had made a reception and was running down the field for a big play. Bates III recovered the fumble to end a frustrating day for the San Francisco offense.

“That’s a great recipe for winning in this league,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said.

Penix Jr finished 25 of 34 for 213 yards and three touchdowns, was not sacked once and had a QB rating of 118.9. London led the Falcons in receiving with seven catches for 66 yards to go along with his touchdown. Superstar running back Bijan Robinson had a slow day on the ground with just 63 yards on 20 carries as the Niners defense made sure he didn't run down their throats. Robinson also contributed five receptions for 59 yards.

Purdy went 27 of 40 for 288 yards and one touchdown to go along with his two interceptions. He was sacked twice and pressured throughout the second half. Kittle led all receivers with eight catches for 88 yards. Black led the Niners in rushing with 63 yards on 12 carries.

McCaffery also had a slow day on the ground with just 39 yards on only seven carries. The All-Pro halfback suffered a hip injury in the first quarter and that led to his limited carries the rest of the game. McCaffery was effective in the passing game with six cathes for 61 yards.

San Francisco gets to lick its wounds and get healthy with the upcoming bye this week before returning to action on November 8 as they return home to host the Las Vegas Raiders, who are currently on a four-game losing streak.