6 instant reactions from Falcons' shocking Week 7 upset over 49ers

Following two straight deflating losses, the Atlanta Falcons were itching to return to the win column in Week 7. But it wasn't going to be easy for Kevin Stefanski and company, as the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers and ex-Falcons head coach turned Niners' DC Raheem Morris were coming to town on Sunday.

Everybody was counting out the home team in this matchup, especially after the last two weeks, but Atlanta managed to pull off its biggest victory of the Stefanski era to date. The Falcons upset the 49ers 29-20 in a game where they trailed at the half and held off a late comeback attempt

The Falcons won the turnover battle, as they picked off MVP favorite Brock Purdy twice and forced two fumbles of the 49ers in the red zone, while the offense and special teams did its job. All of the red flags and unforced errors we saw in Weeks 5 and 6 were basically nowhere to be found in Week 7.

And while it wasn't a perfect performance, a win is a win, so let's go over the instant reactions from the commanding victory.

What did we learn from the Atlanta Falcons' Week 7 win over the 49ers?

The Falcons finally returned to basics on offense

Play-calling had been an issue for the Dirty Birds in recent weeks, as they abandoned the run against the Bears, but OC Tommy Rees asserted that they would stick to their offensive identity of pounding the rock, and although the 49ers are one of the better teams against the run, Rees put his money where his mouth is and stayed true to the physical mantra.

Bijan Robinson didn't have his most efficient day on the ground, but after he logged just nine carries last week, it was a priority to get him the ball more. He amassed 20 carries for 63 yards (3.1 YPC) as Atlanta ran the ball 29 times in the win and was a big reason they won the time of possession battle.

The emphasis on the run game helped the pass game hum, which saw Michael Penix Jr. turn in his best game of the season--but more on that next.

Michael Penix Jr. had time to throw and took advantage of it

It's safe to say that whatever Raheem Morris tried to do to slow down Michael Penix Jr. and this Falcons offense did not go as planned. Their MO has been to dial up pressure, and typically that's been an area where Penix has struggled, but instead, he was given all day to throw from the pocket.

The former top-10 pick completed 25 of his 34 pass attempts for 213 yards and three touchdowns, as he excelled with a clean pocket. According to Pro Football Focus, the Niners' pressure got home just three times on just 34 dropbacks, and while he deserves credit for this big day, so does this offensive line who bounced back after some recent struggles.

There's a reason Penix is deemed one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with a clean pocket, and Morris and the Niners knew that, yet still couldn't overpower this OL.

Zachariah Branch more than redeemed himself for last week

Following his two-fumble day last week against the Chicago Bears, the Falcons made it clear they were not going to lose faith in Zachariah Branch. And they couldn't afford not to, as with Olamide Zaccheus inactive, the third-round rookie was going to step in as the WR3 and primary return man.

On his first return of the game, Branch proved that whatever we saw last week was rookie jitters. He broke loose for a 60-yard return, setting Atlanta up in San Francisco territory on their first possession of the game, which was a fantastic response and proof of the electrity we knew was in there.

It was also one of the first instances where the Falcons were set up in plus-territory thanks to a big play on specials. And given he can be utilized more creatively and isn't dropping easy passes, the Georgia product should start over Zaccheus once he comes back.

Have a day, Maason Smith

According to ESPN research, Maason Smith led the NFL with an 87% pass-rush win rate entering Week 7, but had yet to pick up his first sack of 2026. But he finally did in Week 7, as he took down Purdy, logged two TFLs, and forced a fumble of Kaelon Black in the red zone that Atlanta recovered.

It was probably Smith's best day of his career, and it goes to show you how well the Ruke Orhohoro-for-Maason Smith swap is going for Ian Cunningham and the Falcons--and he was due for some movement in the sack department after some close calls in recent weeks.

Between Smith and Gervon Dexter Sr., it's safe to say the Falcons hit the jackpot on their revamped defensive tackle room.

The Falcons' RB2 job is one of the best in football

When Bijan Robinson is your starting running back, it makes it easier to find a quality backup who can spell him for a couple of plays. Atlanta had that in Tyler Allgeier, but when he left in free agency they replaced him with Brian Robinson Jr., who missed Sunday's game due to a hamstring injury.

His absence meant that Bijan was the only healthy back on this Falcons' roster, so they called up Khalil Herbert from the practice squad, who also excelled. He had a 19-yard reception that he came inches away from housing and was solid in relief of No. 7 despite not lighting up the stat sheet.

It goes to show you that Atlanta's RB2 is an easy opening to fill.

Kendal Daniels came through when the Falcons needed him

Last weekend, Kendal Daniels was stretchered off the field due to a gruesome neck injury, so it's a miracle in itself that he was able to practice this week, let alone play. In other circumstances, that hit could have ended his season or derailed his career, but not someone with the toughness of Daniels.

And he managed to come through at the best possible moment. With Divine Deablo inactive due to a forearm injury, the fourth-round rookie was going to have to wear the green dot for this defense just a week after the injury--and boy did he deliver exactly when the Falcons needed him to.

With Atlanta leading by six, the Oklahoma product nabbed the game-sealing pick on Purdy to set the Dirty Birds up in the red zone--where they kicked a field goal to go up nine. And then on the ensuing possession, he recovered a George Kittle fumble that put the nail in the coffin of this upset.

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