How can the Atlanta Falcons beat the San Francisco 49ers?

Dec 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the final regular season game at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a 4-turnover game that resulted in their second loss of the year and now have to travel across the United States to take on the San Francisco 49ers who are off to a dreadful start.

The Falcons (6-2) are going up against the 49ers (2-6) who have elected to bench Colin Kaepernick for former Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert. A statement made by the 49ers earlier in the week said that the choice to start Gabbert against the Falcons was a result of Atlanta’s ‘weak’ defense. Are you serious?

The Falcons’ defense ranks 13th in the league in points allowed per game at just over 21 points. That number itself isn’t all that accurate with the amount of points teams have scored off of Falcons’ turnovers as of late. So, we’re looking at a Falcons defense that doesn’t give up a ton of points and has one of the best run stopping defenses in the NFL.

The Falcons rank 5th in the NFL in rushing yard allowed and have gone up against DeMarco Murray, Arian Foster, Alfred Morris, Mark Ingram and Doug Martin, some of the leagues’ best running backs.

Sure, the Falcons passing defense hasn’t been all that great, but the Falcons have shut down Zach Mettenberger and Jameis Winston as far as yards go. Mr. Gabbert, bring it on.

Lets take a look at three things the Falcons have to do in order to beat the 49ers on Sunday.