49ers vs. Falcons live updates: Score, analysis, highlights for 'Sunday Night Football'

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HALFTIME: Tough 49ers leading defensive battle vs. Falcons, 10-3

This isn't a fireworks show to write home about so far, but if it's defense you like, well, you picked the right matchup: We've got a near-deadlock across the board, with the Falcons and 49ers both moving the ball but also turning it over once. The difference at the break: Atlanta settled for a field goal in its lone red-zone appearance, while the 49ers capitalized thanks to Christian McCaffrey.

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Bryce Huff slams Michael Penix Jr. for 49ers strip-sack

With Nick Bosa and Fred Warner both sidelined for the rest of the season, San Francisco needs its reserves to step up. Bryce Huff did just that while getting after Michael Penix Jr. following the 49ers' first score of the night, dipping beneath Colton McKivitz and then slamming into Atlanta's quarterback for a punishing strip-sack. Tough stuff from Robert Saleh's defense so far.

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Christian McCaffrey takes over to put 49ers ahead of Falcons

Bijan Robinson may be the hot name at the running back spot, but McCaffrey is still chugging along. That was very clear on the 49ers' first scoring drive of the night, a 13-play, 80-yard series that saw "CMC" eclipse 75 yards on the ground for the matchup. Mac Jones also fed the multipurpose veteran out of the backfield, setting up McCaffrey's goal-line touchdown run.

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Injury alert: Falcons LB Divine Deablo OUT vs. 49ers

One of Atlanta's top offseason acquisitions, Deablo will miss the remainder of the game after exiting with a forearm injury. He racked up 23 tackles, four pass deflections and a fumble recovery at the heart of Raheem Morris' defense leading into tonight's game.

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Jauan Jennings bobble leads to Mac Jones INT vs. Falcons

One week after throwing multiple picks in place of the injured Brock Purdy, Mac Jones just threw another halfway through the second quarter. Once again, his first giveaway was partially thanks to his own teammate. Jauan Jennings was the targeted wideout, and he got hands on the ball before bobbling it in the face of a potential big hit, affording Kaden Elliss the takeaway:

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49ers stuff Falcons in red zone; Atlanta takes first lead with FG

The Falcons took their sweet time moving the ball down the field, leaning on Bijan Robinson to advance to the 49ers' 15-yard line, but then Robert Saleh's defensive front stepped up, with Bryce Huff and Sam Okuayinonu combining to swarm Michael Penix Jr. for the third-down sack. Parker Romo proceeds to drill a 38-yard field goal, and Atlanta strikes first. It's 3-0 early in the Bay Area.

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Defense reigns supreme in scoreless opening quarter of Falcons vs. 49ers

Atlanta came into this matchup with the No. 1-ranked defense, while San Francisco entered with a borderline top-10 scoring defense. Both units are showing up. The Falcons went three-and-out to start the game, and then the 49ers needed more than four minutes just to move about 40 yards on their own opening series. One good thing for the road squad: Bijan Robinson is already heavily involved, finishing the first quarter with seven touches, averaging more than 5 yards per opportunity.

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George Kittle makes his anticipated return to 49ers' lineup

After sitting out five games due to a torn hamstring, San Francisco's star pass catcher is back:

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Why are the 49ers favored against Falcons' stingy defense?

One reason San Francisco is still considered a favorite by oddsmakers? Two of their top offensive weapons, as explained in SportsLine's betting preview of "Sunday Night Football":

Running back Christian McCaffrey powers the San Francisco offense, and is the 49ers' leading rusher and receiver. In six games, he has ... 46 receptions for 444 yards (9.7 average) and three touchdowns. He has five explosive plays in the passing game, including a long of 29 yards with 346 yards after the catch.

Ninth-year veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has also been a weapon in the passing game. In five games, he has 23 receptions for 371 yards (16.1 average) with three explosive plays of 20 yards or more, including a long of 56. He has 143 yards after the catch with 17 first-down conversions.

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