Box scores tell you what happened. Snap counts tell you what a coaching staff actually believes. After the Atlanta Falcons’ 29-20 upset win over the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers, what changed or remained the same from our Week 1-6 look at the snap counts?
Winless at home in 2026 no more, this was the toughest opponent for the Falcons, and arguably heralded the best team in the NFL. The talented defense, led by future Hall of Fame LB Fred Warner, did their best to combat the headlining offense of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle's losing the turnover battle 0-4, but to no avail.
Ex-Falcons offensive coordinator-turned-49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the Falcons would be their toughest matchup, and boy, was he right. Raheem Morris' defense had no answers for this Atlanta offense, as Michael Penix Jr. turned in his best start of the season since everything clicked.
In win or defeat, the snap counts get that much more clearly indicative of how this Kevin Stefanski and this new regime actually wants to run things, so let's go over what we learned.
What did we learn from the Atlanta Falcons' Week 7 snap counts?
Falcons WR3 Olamide Zaccheaus being inactive (shoulder) opened a litany of snaps for the WR4/WR5 battle between Zachariah Branch and Chris Blair. It echoed what we have said here progressively: Branch is breaking away from Blair, as he should be. 7% more of the snaps went Branch’s way after a dominatingly 31% more last week, and again, Branch found the stat sheet while Blair did not. The conversation now shifts to Branch’s aim to overtake the veteran WR3 Zaccheaus.
The biggest uptick? Or should we say reduction…CB Mike Hughes undoubtedly. Though the fans are not the sounding board of decisions to be made by head coach Kevin Stefanski and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, there’s some “tape doesn’t lie” correctly called. The media question of the week and golf clap is due to Falcons Beat Writer Daniel Flick professionally pressing Stefanski concerning Hughes’s struggles on the boundary.
Kevin Stefanski on Mike Hughes: pic.twitter.com/88Iu4b0JEi
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) October 19, 2026
Factor in that versatile rookie CB Avieon Terrell missed yesterday with an illness. Hughes entered the day with his lowest single-game snap count percentage at 65%, followed by 85%. He’s played 100% in half the games. Hughes only got 17 snaps for 26% vs the 49ers. Don’t get it twisted, C.J. Henderson coming off an injury week and claiming 95% of the snaps on the boundary is clear: that’s your new CB2. Nickelback Sydney Brown getting his season-high of 48% was well earned. It will be fascinating to see the “balance” of Brown/Hughes/ Avieon Terrell, and Billy Bowman Jr. next week.
Like to personally thank Falcons CB CJ Henderson slamming down 49ers WR Jordan Watkins on that overturned TD
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) October 25, 2026
Don’t panic. Finish. pic.twitter.com/azGp6MOoVq
The last headliner of discussion surely isn’t least. You give rookie LB Kendal Daniels 100% of the snaps one week off of a visit to Grady Hospital with a neck injury scare. What does he do? Team-leading 11 tackles, a key interception late in the fourth, and a fumble recovery that ultimately sealed the win. He and Jessie Bates III were undeniably the players of the game, and their game balls echoed that. Fellow rookie Harold Perkins Jr. getting his season-high of 85% of the snaps in the absence of injured veteran Divine Deablo fueled the speculative discussion that Deablo, in a contract year, might be headed for a walk in favor of the younger, cheaper, and frankly better-performing this season talent.
Falcons rookie LB Kendal Daniels was at Grady Hospital last week with a head injury & just called game vs an undefeated 49ers. DAWG pic.twitter.com/nFWpUslz3l
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) October 25, 2026
Some quick hitters to wrap? Waiver additions Drake Jackson and Charles Snowden adequately spelled veteran Za’Darius Smith on his apparent pitch count this season, honorably combining for 35 snaps. On the other side of the ball, what a celebration of Tight End Day for all of them getting involved. TE3 Austin Hooper and TE4 Nick Muse each matched season-highs in playing time and combined for 4 catches, 23 yards, and a TD. Combined with his fantastic special teams play, Muse has really found himself a role.
The Falcons “need” a win on the road vs the divisional foe, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this upcoming Sunday. Bucs (2-5) spanked the Panthers (3-3) silly 43-13 in QB Baker Mayfield’s return from injury. Get to .500 and keep the pressure on the Panthers after they hopefully lose to the Packers on Thursday Night Football. Frankly, 4-4 is about where this team should be, in relation to new management’s timeline, the division, and the personnel employed vs. a strong schedule.
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