Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Oct 28, 2026 12:00 PM
Despite elite performances from George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy’s rocky outing and backbreaking fumbles derailed the Niners’ undefeated streak during a physical clash in Atlanta.
The San Francisco 49ers saw their unblemished record come to an end in Week 7, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Following the defeat, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released its offensive grades and snap counts, illustrating an afternoon plagued by costly turnovers, pass-protection breakdowns on the left side, and a season-low performance from quarterback Brock Purdy.
Despite the frustrating result, veteran leaders George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey posted elite numbers to anchor Kyle Shanahan's battered offense heading into the Week 8 bye.
Highest & Lowest Graded 49ers: Offense
Top 5 Offensive Grades
- TE George Kittle: 82.6 (60 snaps)
- RB Christian McCaffrey: 80.4 (34 snaps)
- RT Colton McKivitz: 78.2 (66 snaps)
- RG Dominick Puni: 78.0 (66 snaps)
- LT Trent Williams: 72.8 (66 snaps)
Bottom 5 Offensive Grades
- RB Jordan James: 39.3 (4 snaps)
- LG Connor Colby: 45.7 (66 snaps)
- RB Kaelon Black: 48.6 (31 snaps)
- WR Brandin Cooks: 52.0 (45 snaps)
- WR Christian Kirk: 52.6 (20 snaps)
Quarterback Play: A Rough Afternoon for Brock Purdy
Fresh off setting the NFL's all-time career passer rating mark on Monday night, Brock Purdy experienced his rockiest outing of the 2026 campaign. Purdy finished 27-of-40 for 288 passing yards, one touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk, and two interceptions, generating a season-low 75.8 passer rating. The Falcons' defense also took him down for two sacks.
PFF awarded Purdy a 59.3 overall offensive grade, his lowest single-game mark of the season, alongside a 58.5 passing grade (his second-lowest of the year, just behind his 58.4 grade in Week 1). Forcing throws in the second half ultimately doomed San Francisco's comeback hopes.
Offensive Line & Pass Protection: Colby Under Siege
San Francisco's offensive line surrendered 10 total pressures on the day. The right side of the line enjoyed strong individual outings, but left guard Connor Colby faced severe pass-rush trouble.
- LG Connor Colby: Allowed a game-high five pressures and one sack, posting a 45.4 pass-blocking grade and a unit-low 45.7 overall grade.
- LT Trent Williams: Paced the entire line in pass protection with an 83.9 pass-blocking grade, though he was tagged with the team's other allowed sack and an opening-drive false start.
- RT Colton McKivitz: Stood out as San Francisco's highest-graded offensive lineman overall (78.2), leading the group with a 78.8 run-blocking grade.
- RG Dominick Puni: Continues to impress in his rookie campaign, registering a 78.0 overall grade over 66 snaps.
- Pass Protection Woes in the Backfield: Rookie running back Kaelon Black recorded the game's lowest pass-blocking grade at 41.7.
Pressures Allowed Breakdown (10 Total)
- LG Connor Colby: 5 pressures (1 sack)
- RG Dominick Puni: 2 pressures
- LT Trent Williams: 1 pressure (1 sack)
- C Jake Brendel: 1 pressure
- RT Colton McKivitz: 1 pressure
Receiving Grades: Kittle Celebrates TE Day, Wideouts Struggle
Fittingly on National Tight Ends Day, George Kittle was the 49ers' highest-graded player and the second-highest-graded offensive player on the field, posting an 82.6 overall offensive grade. Kittle caught eight passes for 88 yards and also logged the team’s top run-blocking grade (81.6), though his late fumble with 47 seconds left sealed the loss.
With the wide receiver room severely depleted, targets were heavily concentrated through running backs and tight ends. Encouragingly, no 49ers pass-catcher was credited with a drop.
- RB Jordan James: 81.8 receiving grade (1 reception, 11 yards on 1 target)
- RB Christian McCaffrey: 81.5 receiving grade (6 catches on 7 targets for 61 yards)
- TE George Kittle: 74.6 receiving grade
- WR Jordan Watkins: 66.6 receiving grade (nearly had a spectacular TD overturned by replay)
- WR Christian Kirk: 52.6 offensive grade in his 49ers debut (20 snaps)
- WR Brandin Cooks: 52.0 offensive grade (45 snaps)
- RB Kaelon Black: 53.0 receiving grade (1 catch on 3 targets for -4 yards)
Rushing Grades: CMC Dominant When Healthy, Ball-Security Woes
Christian McCaffrey led all rushers with a 73.3 run grade. Prior to exiting temporarily with a thigh injury, CMC churned out 39 yards and a 4th-and-goal touchdown on seven carries.
When McCaffrey went down, rookie Kaelon Black provided an electric highlight with a career-long 30-yard touchdown run. He finished with 63 rushing yards on 12 carries (earning a 50.4 run grade), but a costly lost fumble inside Atlanta territory severely dampened his overall mark (48.6).
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