Sports
Penix throws three touchdowns as Falcons hand 49ers first loss
Atlanta ended a two-game skid and earned its first home win of the season, beating previously unbeaten San Francisco 29-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdown passes, while the Falcons’ defense forced four turnovers.
ATLANTA — The Falcons turned a difficult matchup into a 29-20 win over the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, snapping a two-game losing streak and earning their first home victory of the season.
Atlanta entered at 2-4; San Francisco was 6-0. The Falcons improved to 3-4, while the 49ers fell to 6-1.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed 25 of 34 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Atlanta’s passing attack kept the offense moving even without many deep plays, and touchdowns by tight end Nick Muse, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London helped build the winning total.
The defense supplied the other major edge, forcing four turnovers. Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels made a key interception and recovered a fumble, helping Atlanta protect its lead. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy finished with 288 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
The victory was a sharp change in fortunes for a Falcons team that had lost its previous two games and had not won at home. Beating one of the NFL’s last unbeaten teams gives Atlanta a result to build on, though the team remains below .500.