Atlanta Falcons Flying High, Host Struggling San Francisco 49ers in Week 4

Talk about two teams in different places.

The Falcons are flying high after a 27-24 overtime win against the defending Super Bowl champion Saints, while the 49ers, practically everyone’s favorite to win the weak NFC West, are reeling after an 0-3 start.

It doesn’t get any easier for San Francisco, as they travel cross-country to the Georgia Dome Sunday where the Falcons will likely be anything but gracious hosts.

With the overtime win in New Orleans, the Falcons improved to 2-1. Their only loss this season came in Week 1 to the Steelers, 15-9.

Since then, the offense has clicked.

Quarterback Matt Ryan posted his second straight 100.0-plus quarterback rating, running the Falcons’ record to 11-0 when he does so. Meanwhile, the Falcons have had back-to-back 100-yard rushers—Michael Turner last week and Jason Snelling in Week 2.

The 49ers fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye this week and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson, who was Michael Vick’s coach in Atlanta.

The 49ers never got going under Raye

San Francisco running back Frank Gore has just 193 rushing yards on the year (3.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown. The 49ers are 14-6 when Gore rushes for 100 or more yards. One of those losses came in Week 2 against the Saints, who also allowed 202 rushing yards to the Falcons last Sunday. Gore rushed for 112 yards in that loss.

Quarterback Alex Smith has thrown just two touchdowns through three games this season, along with five interceptions. His quarterback rating is a ghastly 66.2. He has only faced the Falcons once in his career, a forgettable 17-of-38, three-interception performance in Atlanta in 2007.

But that doesn’t mean the Falcons are looking past the Niners.

“Look, this team’s 0-3,” Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “They’re coming in here, they don’t want to be 0-4. Nobody wants to do that. that’s dangerous territory. We know they’re going to come in here ready to roll and we have to make sure that we match their enthusiasm, if not exceed it...We’ve got to be laser-focused.”

Gonzalez finally broke out last week, posting his first 100-yard performance of the season.

Matt Ryan is 14-1 as a starter at the Georgia Dome in his young career.

“Every team’s dangerous in this league,” said Ryan. “They’re going to come in hungry for sure...I expect them to come in here and play really well on Sunday. I expect it to be a four-quarter game.”

The Falcons host the 49ers Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.

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