3 Keys to the Atlanta Falcons surviving the life with Patterson

2. Grady  Jarrett must continue to be Grady Jarrett

The 49ers are currently ranked number one in rushing defense and seemingly have the best overall defense after a gut-wrenching victory at home versus the defending champs. What does this mean for a Falcons team who may be struggling on offense in the coming weeks?

Attack the core of the team–read your opponent’s offense and stop veteran QB, Garoppolo, in his tracks. And what better defender could you ask for outside of Grady Jarrett who has recorded 3.5 sacks so far in the season?

As we witnessed in weeks one and three, when you put pressure on the center of the o-line, sneak past the gaps in the offense, and attack the QB, Garoppolo gets quickly shaken up. He will start to make hasty decisions and small mistakes that have cost the 49ers the game (Stepping into his own end zone versus the broncos).

The 49ers are already inconsistent at the QB position with Trey Lance being injured. There’s a reason San Francisco didn’t start Garoppolo at the beginning of the season and made him a second option. The defense needs to keep their eyes peeled, intimidate the 49ers on offense, and keep Garoppolo off the field. Even when he is on the field if Atlanta can cause pressure there is reason to believe Jimmy G will put the ball on the ground or throw it to the wrong team.