Falcons-49ers preview

"We are just not finishing," Turner said. "We are one key block away from having big runs. That's what we are missing. We'll get that squared away. Hopefully we'll get started on Sunday."

Turner knew he would be the focus of most defenses after rushing for 1,699 yards last season.

"We are 2-1," Turner said. "As long as we get the win, I'm fine with it."

2. Make 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill uncomfortable: The former Maryland signal-caller is the quintessential game manager. But he's 7-0 at home as a starter and has the 49ers off to a 3-1 start for the first time since 2002.

In fact, the 49ers are a lucky Brett Favre heave away from being 4-0.

Last week, in the 35-0 win over the St. Louis Rams, Hill was 14-of-24 for 152 yards and four sacks.

With running back Frank Gore out, Hill doesn't have the safety net of a legitimate running game. Rookie Glen Coffee, a third-round pick from Alabama, is averaging only 2.3 yards per carry while trying to replace Gore. He has 59 carries for 138 yards.

The Falcons' defensive line has not recorded a sack in the past two games, and defensive end John Abraham sent out the call for the unit to "Man Up."

3. Winning the battle at tight end: The Falcons have superstar Tony Gonzalez, and the 49ers' top weapon is Vernon Davis, an emerging star.

He seems to have gotten coach Mike Singletary's message about playing within the team after Singletary tossed him out of a game last season, a move that triggered Singletary's "I'll play with 10″ rant.

Davis, who has a rare blend of power and speed for the possession, leads the team with 17 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns. They will try to get him isolated on a slower linebacker and send him deep, just as New England tight end Chris Baker got behind Falcons linebacker Mike Peterson for a touchdown in the last game.

"He's always had the talent," Gonzalez said. "It's starting to click for him. I couldn't be happier for him. I'm proud of him."

Gonzalez was held to one catch in his last outing when New England decided to bracket him and bump him whenever he ran through a zone.

4. The hitting should be fierce: Coach Mike Singletary, a former Chicago Bear and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has his team playing physical football.

"Everybody is playing tough," Falcons cornerback Chris Houston said.

Inside linebackers Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes (who played at Washington County High and Auburn) are laying the wood on folks. Willis looks like a perennial Pro Bowl player, while Spikes, a 12-year veteran and former Pro Bowl, still has some gas left in the tank. He comes out when the 49ers go to their nickel package.

The defense is very opportunistic.

Willis scored on an interception return last week, and the defense has an interception in each game this season.

"We are going to have a work cut out for us," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "This is a physical team, but we are a physical offense."

5. Splash in some big plays: The first pass of Matt Ryan's NFL career went for 62 yards and a touchdown last season. Other big plays just seemed to follow as the Falcons repeatedly gashed defenses on their way to the playoffs.

Early this season, the big play has been missing from the attack.

The longest play from scrimmage is a 27-yard pass play to wide receiver Marty Booker.

"It's early," Ryan said. "The explosive plays are going to come. That's the way this offense is built. You just don't know when and you don't know where."

Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White, the team's top deep threat last season, is averaging only 7.9 yards per catch.

"We've done a good job of moving the ball," Ryan said. "Any offense would love to have those explosive plays, and that's what we try and create throughout the game, but this is going to be a tough defense to do it against."

Matchups to watch

49ers TE Vernon Davis vs. Falcons SS Erik Coleman: One of the emerging players in the NFL, Davis has 17 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons likely will have a linebacker in front of Davis and Coleman behind him. Without running back Frank Gore, they'll want to take away the 49ers' top receiver, who is the closest thing they have to a game-breaker.

Falcons Gs Justin Blalock and Harvey Dahl vs. 49ers ILBs Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes: What appears to be a draft-day blunder might come back to haunt the Falcons. Instead of taking Willis with the 8th pick in 2007, the Falcons went with defensive end Jamaal Anderson. Willis lasted until the 11th pick. Spikes, the former Auburn star, is in his 13th season. Blalock and Dahl will have to locate them, increase their intensity and open some holes. Willis and Spikes also can rush the passer. Willis has 2.5 sacks and Spikes has one. "They are really flying around, getting to that ball," Blalock said. "We have to do a good job of taking care of them when that's our responsibility."

49ers CB Nate Clements vs. Falcons WR Roddy White: After holding out for nine days, White is off to a slow start. This might not be the best team to try to breakout against as Clements is a savvy veteran. His 14 forced fumbles since 2004 rank first among cornerbacks. His 27 interceptions since 2002 rank him tied for fourth among NFL corners. White has been targeted on 26 passes. He has 15 catches for 119 yards (7.9 yards per catch). "I went up against him a few years ago," White said. "He was out there battling. He followed me around the last time we played them."

Falcons win if ...

They get off to a fast start: Part of the Falcons' success last season was built from outscoring opponents 114-52 in the first quarter. The 114 points led the league. They jumped on teams and then unleashed the running attack. The 49ers were held scoreless in the first quarter of their past two games.

They shut down 49ers tight end Vernon Davis: The 49ers' offense must be contained. Their top weapon is the Davis, and he must be slowed if not stopped completely. The defensive line can help by getting back in the sack column. With John Abraham calling out the unit, look for him to lead the charge to the quarterback after two sack-less games.

They win the field-position game: Punter Michael Koenen will be the key in what could turn into a physical defensive battle. The 49ers don't have enough weapons to trade touchdowns if they are forced to craft together some sustained drives. Koenen was the key in an earlier victory against Carolina, booming three punts for 149 yards (49.7 average).