Here are five things to know before today’s Falcons (4-9) at 49ers (11-2) kickoff at 4:25 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California:
1. Super Bowl LI reunion: For the first time since the infamous Super Bowl LI collapse, Falcons coach Dan Quinn and San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan will be in the same stadium. Both discussed their roles in the collapse, but failed to directly address whether they should have been running the ball with a lead. Steve Hummer caught up with Shanahan while out in North California to also do a story on the Raiders Darren Waller, the former Georgia Tech star.
2. Campbell having strong campaign: In this disappointing season, linebacker DeVondre Campbell has been one of the bright sports. Campbell, who got his second sack last week, has a career-high 106 tackles. Look for him and 49ers tight end George Kittle to rumble in this one.
3. Series record: This will be the 78th regular-season meeting. The 49ers hold a 46-30-1 lead. The teams are tied 1-1 in the playoffs.
4. Where to watch, listen and stream. The game will be on Fox Sports with Chris Myers handling the play-by-play, Daryl Johnston as analysis and Laura Okmin as the field reporter.
5. Key Matchups: Here are three key matchups to watch in the game:
Falcons DE Takk McKinley vs. 49ers LT Joe Staley: In order to get a pass rush, the Falcons have moved linemen around to find favorable matchups. McKinley has 3.5 sacks and will be battling uphill against Staley, who is a six-time Pro Bowler and has been in the league since 2007.
Falcons RT Kaleb McGary vs. 49ers LDE Nick Bosa: McGary, who struggled earlier this season against the Rams' Dante Fowler and Buccaneers' Devin White, is coming off his best game in run blocking and pass protection. Bosa, the second overall pick in the 2019 draft, has eight sacks and one interception.
Falcons DT Grady Jarrett vs. 49ers RG Mike Person/C Ben Garland: Jarrett spent his rookie year going against Person in practice and worked along side Garland, who played defensive tackle before migrating over to the offensive line in 2017 and 2018. Jarrett is having a Pro Bowl caliber season, while Person is steady as a gritty right guard. Garland is set to take over at center with the season-ending knee injury to Weston Richburg.
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