San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons: Who Has The Edge?

The San Francisco 49ers play the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome this Sunday. This 74 year old rivalry will return for its 75th meeting. The lines are drawn and one team has the ultimate edge over the other. Who will win this Sunday? Will the 49ers win their first game of the season on the road to defeat this age old rival? Or will the Falcons lengthen their win streak over the continuously slumping 49ers?

Edge: Falcons

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Falcons defeated the Saints 27-24.

Though the San Francisco 49ers lead the all time series 44-30-1, the Atlanta Falcons hold the current win streak at 3-0. The rivalry dates back to 1966 when the 49ers won 44-7 at Atlanta. However, in more recent years, the tables have turned. Last year’s meeting, the Falcons won 45-10 at San Francisco. Also, the 49ers have lost all of their games so far, falling to a team, Kansas City, that the Falcons made quick work of in the preseason. 

Edge: Falcons

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 04: Running back Jerious Norwood #32 of the Atlanta Falcons looks for room to run against the San Francisco 49ers at Georgia Dome on November 4, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia.Norwood was hurt on the play as the Falcons defeated the 49ers 20

The Atlanta Falcons are hot coming off a win against the defending Super Bowl champions on the road. All the while, the 49ers continue to fall into a huge slump, losing all three of their opening games. Because the 49ers’s preseason success did not carry over into the regular season, the California based team is beginning to point fingers. Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye was fired after just three games into the season. He was fired after not producing any effective offensive plays. The offense has seemed lackluster all three games of this 2010 season. Quarterbacks coach, Mike Johnson, will become the new offensive coordinator. 

Edge: Falcons

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Arizona Cardinals at Georgia Dome on September 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons have an edge in almost every category, including passing, rushing, and receiving leaders. San Francisco’s sub-par quarterback may not be the only one to blame for their horrible lose-streak. Atlanta’s Michael Turner edges San Francisco’s Frank Gore in rushing yards per carry.  Though Gore also falls in receiving to 49ers’s Roddy White, Gore is the only player keeping the 49ers offense still breathing. 

Prediction

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons watches from the sidelines as his team takes on the Kansas City Chiefs at Georgia Dome on September 21, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Chiefs 38-14. (Photo by Doug

The Atlanta Falcons edge the San Francisco 49ers 28-17. The Falcons have home field advantage over the 49ers. Also, the Falcons are coming off a big win, while the 49ers are coming off an embarrassing loss. The 49ers lose-streak is about to be lengthened as of Saturday.