Four turnovers, three Michael Penix Jr. touchdown passes and a 29-20 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 49ers are 6-1. A day after the Valkyries won in Atlanta, the Niners couldn’t.
ATLANTA — Saturday, Atlanta was good to the Bay. Sunday, it wanted it back.
The 49ers lost for the first time this season, 29-20 to the Falcons. They came in 6-0. They leave 6-1, with a bye week to think about it.
They didn’t lose because they couldn’t move the ball. They outgained Atlanta 401 yards to 295. They lost because they kept handing it over.
Four giveaways
Brock Purdy threw two interceptions, one of them to safety Jessie Bates III in the red zone with the 49ers driving, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. The 49ers lost two fumbles. Atlanta turned the ball over zero times.
“The 49ers have made so many crucial mistakes as the Falcons look to take control,” NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco posted during the third quarter. That about covers it.
The flags didn’t help. Seven penalties for 55 yards, including pass interference and illegal contact calls that kept an Atlanta drive alive.
How it got away
It started fine. Christian McCaffrey punched in a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and a 30-yard touchdown run early in the second made it 14-3.
Then Penix went to work. He hit Nick Muse for a touchdown before the half, Kyle Pitts to open the third for Atlanta’s first lead, and Drake London for 21 yards on the first play of the fourth. Penix finished 25 of 34 with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Kicker Nick Folk added three field goals.
Purdy found Kyle Juszczyk for a 1-yard score with five minutes left to make it 26-20, but the extra point missed. Folk’s field goal with two minutes left closed it.
Who wasn’t there
The 49ers played without Nick Bosa, who was ruled out, and without Mike Evans, out with Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey was listed as questionable with a thigh injury in the second quarter and returned. Christian Kirk was activated from injured reserve and was expected to make his 49ers debut.
What’s next
A bye. Then the Las Vegas Raiders come to Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1:05 p.m.
One weekend, one city, two Bay Area teams. The Valkyries went into Atlanta and won Game 4. The 49ers went in and gave it away. The Valkyries play Game 5 Monday at 5 p.m. at Chase Center.
Photo: Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on a Falcons game day. Photo by Blervis via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
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