49ers commit four turnovers in first loss of season

The San Francisco 49ers’ undefeated start ends as four turnovers lead to a 29-20 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Oct 25, 2026, 1:29 PM

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 25: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles with the ball u...

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles with the ball under pressure from Za'darius Smith #55 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first loss of the season Sunday, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons after letting an early 14-3 lead slip away.

They outgained Atlanta 401-295, but four turnovers and multiple wide receiver injuries proved the difference. The Falcons scored 23 unanswered points after the 49ers went up by 11, with Brock Purdy throwing two second-half interceptions before George Kittle’s late fumble sealed it.

Purdy finished 27/41 for 289 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Christian McCaffrey totaled 100 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown despite briefly leaving with a thigh injury, while Kittle led San Francisco with eight catches for 89 yards. Rookie Kaelon Black added 63 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The loss drops the 49ers to 6-1, with a bye week next.

San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons Game Notes

With a handful of wide receivers inactive, San Francisco leaned heavily on McCaffrey early, both on the ground and through the air. McCaffrey accounted for most of the yardage on the opening drive before the Falcons stopped Kaelon Black three straight times near the goal line.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan went back to McCaffrey on fourth down, where he jumped over the line for a touchdown, giving his team an early 7-0 lead.

CMC went flying in for 6

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— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026

Atlanta immediately responded with a 61-yard kickoff return. Fred Warner and the linebacker unit made big tackles on Bijan Robinson, limiting the Falcons to a field goal on their first drive.

Unfortunately, McCaffrey went into the blue tent with a thigh injury and was listed as questionable. That left Black with more responsibility, and he immediately delivered. The rookie third-round pick out of Indiana went nearly untouched for a 30-yard touchdown, extending San Francisco’s lead to 14-3.

dad’s scoring TDs 🫶

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— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026

The run game hadn’t been a strength for most of the season, but it showed up big early in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The home team answered with a scoring drive of its own, finishing with play action near the goal line to get tight end Nick Muse wide open for a touchdown. He was the first TE to score in this matchup on National Tight End Day. Nick Folk uncharacteristically missed the extra point off the right upright, leaving the scoreboard 14-9 in San Francisco’s favor.

With McCaffrey out, third-string running back Jordan James got a touch and fumbled, but San Francisco recovered. One play later, Black fumbled too, and the other side recovered. Atlanta took advantage with a 33-yard field goal as time expired, cutting the 49ers’ halftime lead to 14-12.

The @AtlantaFalcons knock it loose and recover the fumble!

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— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026

San Francisco went into the break still ahead despite losing McCaffrey and producing little on the pass. Black had recorded 60 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the turnover hurt.

Atlanta carried its momentum out of halftime and quickly took its first lead when Penix found Kyle Pitts for a touchdown to make it 19-14.

McCaffrey returned after leaving in the first half, but San Francisco leaned more on their passing game. Purdy made a few plays while extending outside the pocket, but the possession ended with an impressive sideline interception by Jessie Bates III.

This interception by Jessie Bates III is UNREAL.

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— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026

Atlanta followed with a long scoring drive, aided by two third-down penalties on San Francisco. Robinson made an impact before Penix found Drake London for another touchdown, extending an unanswered 23-point run and giving the Falcons a 26-14 lead.

The 49ers offense finally found some explosive plays through the air, including a long completion to second-year WR Jordan Watkins. Watkins appeared to come down with his first NFL touchdown later in the drive, but replay showed he lost control going out of bounds.

What a touchdown grab by Jordan Watkins! Check the right foot on the way down

(Also hoping they don’t overturn this since the ball moved) https://t.co/xk37nska8M

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 25, 2026

The reversal changed momentum as San Francisco eventually turned it over on downs after Purdy was sacked on fourth-and-10.

Purdy got another chance after the defense forced a punt, putting them back in scoring range. Shortly after, McCaffrey was stopped just short of the goal line, and play-action left Kyle Juszczyk wide open for a one-yard touchdown. Kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the extra point, as he has a few times this season, leaving the 49ers down 26-20.

The defense did their job again and forced another three-and-out, but Purdy’s second interception of the half killed all momentum. Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels made the play, his first interception, jumping a pass intended for McCaffrey.

@AtlantaFalcons rookie Kendal Daniels gets his first career interception in the clutch

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— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026

Atlanta used the short field to drain the clock, then added a 31-yard field goal to extend the lead to 29-20 with two minutes remaining.

Attempting to make things interesting, San Francisco moved into Atlanta territory before Purdy found George Kittle for a big gain into the red zone.

Bates III made another big play, punching the ball out of Kittle’s hands. The 49ers’ fourth turnover of the afternoon ended any chance of a late comeback. It was Bates’ 13th career forced fumble, tying him for the most among active NFL safeties.

The rookie Kendal Daniels makes the play again!

@AtlantaFalcons force the fumble and recover it to seal the win over San Francisco https://t.co/9o2xsWnT2e

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2026

Atlanta kneeled out the remaining time to hand San Francisco its first loss of the season, 29-20, dropping the 49ers to 6-1 entering their bye week.

Purdy finished with one touchdown and two interceptions, while McCaffrey totaled 100 yards and a rushing touchdown despite leaving for a portion of the first half with a thigh injury. Rookie Kaelon Black added 63 rushing yards and his first career touchdown, a 30-yard run.

For Atlanta, Penix completed 25 of 34 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while Bijan Robinson finished with 116 total yards.