Penix wasn't the problem against the Bears. Zachariah Branch fumbled 2 returns, and Chicago turned them into 10 points in an 8-point game. Kyle Pitts caught 2 touchdowns and Jahan Dotson went for 87 yards on 3 catches. The offense that put up 45 in New Orleans and 35 in Green Bay is still there. The Falcons keep handing games away before it gets going.
The form card has a strange split. Both Atlanta wins came on the road, and all 3 losses came at home, including a 34-3 beating by Carolina. Home field hasn't helped this team at all. San Francisco has played 4 of its last 5 in Santa Clara. Its only road trip in that stretch was a 32-29 shootout in Seattle. Now it plays a 1:00 PM ET kickoff 3 time zones east, 6 days after a Monday night game, with the bye waiting on the other side.
The 49ers defense has been getting by without Nick Bosa, who was inactive again Monday. Dre Greenlaw's appeal of a 1-game suspension was denied, and the linebacker group is short behind him: Garret Wallow was inactive, Nick Martin is on IR with a hamstring, and Luke Gifford was questionable to return Monday with a groin injury. Atlanta's defense may be in worse shape. Kendal Daniels was carted off against Chicago with a neck injury and taken to the hospital. The team said he was alert and moving all his extremities. Divine Deablo left with an arm injury and C.J. Henderson is out. Bijan Robinson got only 9 carries against the Bears, and those 9 went for 61 yards. Facing a thin San Francisco front 7, that's the matchup Atlanta should lean on.
Every San Francisco win in the last 5 has been by 3 or more, and 3 have been by single digits. The Falcons have shown they can score with anyone. They've also shown they can lose to anyone at home. If the 49ers' passing game looks as stuck as it did Monday after Evans left, this gets interesting late. If Atlanta fumbles away a couple more possessions, the 49ers fly home 7-0 and head into the bye.