SAN FRANCISCO -- Here are 5 things to mull over before today's 4 p.m. kickoff between the Falcons (6-2) and the 49ers (2-6) at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
- RODDY WHITE AS A DECOY: Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has had some of biggest games against the San Francisco 49ers. But in the first half of the season, White has basically been a decoy in the new offense with just 16 catches for 210 yards. White doesn't appears set to notch in fifth consecutive 100-yard receiving game (including the playoffs) against the 49ers. In the past four meetings, White has 34 catches for 555 yards (138.8 per game) and three touchdowns. Back in 2009, in a 45-10 rout, White caught 10 passes for a career-high 210 yards against the 49ers at Candlestick.
- GRABBING GABBERT: San Francisco quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed 82.1 percent of his preseason passes. The 49ers having given up 28 sacks this season, fourth highest in the NFL. The Falcons have just 10 sacks, second-fewest in the league. Colin Kaepernick's string of 53 consecutive starts for the 49ers is set to come to an end.
- RUN STUFFING: The 49ers are going to try to lean on their running game against the Falcons. The Falcons give up 83.4 yards per game, which ranks third in the league and have held former 1,000-yard backs DeMarco Murray (Philadelphia), Arian Foster (Houston) and Alfred Morris (Washington to less than 15 yards rushing this season. Running backs Pierre Thomas, Kendall Gaskins and Shaun Draughn will split the duty with Carlos Hyde (foot) and Mike Davis (hand) 0ut.
- WEATHER FORECAST: Temperatures are slated to be high of 61 and low of 46. Morning rain is expected which could make for a slippery track at Levi Stadium, which has had some sodding issues. Wind expected at 12 miles per hour. (Weather.com)
- SERIES MATCHUP: This will be the 76th meeting between the Falcons and the 49ers in an old NFC West rematch. The 49ers hold a 45-29-1 edge over the Falcons. The two teams have meet twice in the playoffs, with the 49ers winning in the 2012 NFC championship game, 28-24.
FALCONS GAME DAY
QB CORNER: Matt Ryan discusses his recent woes
FAST AND PHYSICAL: Rookie Jalen Collins must hold up on deep passes
RISE UP: Worrilow concerned about 49ers ' run game
ANALYTICS: Gabbert has played to historical lows
MATCHUPS: 3 key matchups -- Falcons at 49ers
BEHIND ENEMY LINES: Bowman hopes to get boost from QB switch
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The AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter & CineSport’s Noah Coslov discuss how to approach the 49ers game with Blaine Gabbert starting, the Falcons issues at center & the biggest challenge facing the team.
Here's how the Falcons achieved their 6-2 start
Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from the Falcons' 23-20 overtime loss to Tampa Bay, win over the Titans (10-7), the loss to the Saints (31-21) and their victories over the Redskins (25-19 in OT), Texans (48-21), Cowboys (39-28), Giants (24-20) and Eagles (26-24).
TAMPA BAY GAME COVERAGE -- Bucs 23, Falcons 20 in OT
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 23-20 loss to the Bucs
How the Falcons lost to the Bucs in OT
10 comments from Dan Quinn after the loss to the Bucs
Adams disagreed with overtime pass interference call
Matt Ryan's miscues help to gift the Bucs' 20 points
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons were saying after the 23-20 loss to the Bucs
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston bests his role model: 'Mr. Ryan'
Falcons defense holds up, but forces no turnovers
Falcons rallied behind wide receiver Julio Jones
Bucs rookie linebacker Alexander dedicates win to deceased brother
TENNESSEE GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 10, Titans 7
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans
BRADLEY: Falcons do enough to survive
10 comments from Dan Quinn after the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans
NEW ORLEANS GAME COVERAGE -- Saints 31, Falcons 21
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 31-21 loss to the Saints
Saints hand Falcons their first loss -- Quarter by Quarter
Matt Ryan: 'It was a tough night'
What the Falcons had to say after their 31-21 loss to the Saints
Why didn't the Falcons feed Freeman? -- Mike Check
Falcons flash some of their ugly past -- Jeff Schultz column
WASHINGTON GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 25, Redskins 19 in OT
Falcons pull out 25-19 victory over Redskins in OT -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned in the Falcons' 25-19 win over the Redskins
What the Falcons had to say after the 25-19 win
Ryan, offense struggle with turnovers
Mark Bradley column: The Frenetic Falcons: Five-and-oh-my!
Roddy White hears support from the crowd
15 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory
Roddy White: 'I'll be a Falcons for life'
Tweetcap: Falcons beat Redskins in OT
TEXANS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 48, Texans 21
How the Falcons hammered the Texans -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-21 win over the Texans
Devonta Freeman stars again for the Falcons
What the Falcons had to say after pummeling the Texans
9 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory
Jeff Schult'z column: Devonta Freeman, 7 TDs -- who didn't see that coming
Schraeder, Matthews keep Watt in check
Hankerson turns in a 100-yard receiving day (second of his career)
Houston's J.J. Watt tips hat to the Falcons
Former Falcons great Jessie Tuggle honored during Texans game
COWBOYS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 39, Cowboys 28
Falcons 39, Cowboys 28 -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 39-28 win over the Cowboys
Mark Bradley's short takes: Julio, Freeman and the defense
Devonta Freeman is catalyst for Falcons run game
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say after beating Dallas
Julio Jones does it again: 12 catches, 164 yards and two touchdowns
Mark Bradley column: A dominant half shows what he Falcons could be
Offensive line cracked the run-game code
Ryan directed second-half fireworks show
Beasley help lead resurgence on defense
Where's Falcons wide receiver Roddy White?
GIANTS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 24, Giants 20
Falcons 24, Giants 20 -- Quarter by Quarter
5 things we learned from Falcons' 24-20 win over the Giants
Mark Bradley column -- Don't stop believin': Dan Quinn's men are 2-0
A record day for Julio Jones: 13 receptions
Kroy Biermann: 'We're a ball-attacking team'
EAGLES GAME COVERAGE -- FALCONS 26, EAGLES 24
5 things we learned from Falcons' upset win over Eagles
Matt Ryan leads Falcons to 26-24 win over the Eagles
Jeff Schultz column: An impressive debut by Quinn's new Falcons
Mark Bradley column: A new year: The Falcons dig deep and hang on
Julio Jones moves into fifth on Falcons' all-time receiving list
Tevin Coleman powers new rushing attack
Ricardo Allen seals victory in first start at free safety
4 questions with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones after the game
Falcons' revamped offensive line shows positive signs
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