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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: Atlanta Falcons (Week 5)
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How will Matt Ryan do in his second year as starting quarterback?
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The 49ers come into Week 5 looking to finish strong before their bye week. They will host the Atlanta Falcons, an upstart team that made the playoffs last year with an explosive offense. In charge of the offense is Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner.
The Falcons are in the running to win their division, so the 49ers will have a huge task at hand.
Let's break down the 2009 Falcons.
2008 Record: 11-5 (2nd NFC South)
Last meeting: 11/4/0 @ Atlanta (Falcons win 20-16)
2009 schedule: Week 2 @ San Francisco, Week 13 @ Seattle
Top 3 best players: RB Michael Turner, TE Tony Gonzalez, DE John Abraham
Notable draft picks: DT Peria Jerry, CB Christopher Owens
Notable new acquisitions: TE Tony Gonzalez, C Jeremy Newberry, LB MIke Peterson,
Notable losses: LB Michael Boley, LB Keith Brooking, CB Dominique Foxworth, DT Grady Jackson
After starting the season with three division opponents in the first four games, the 49ers look to test their skills against some new faces. The Falcons are a whole different team since the 49ers played them in 2007. Obviously the biggest name on the team is quarterback Matt Ryan. As the team tries to move on from the Michael Vick era, the Falcons will be asking a lot more from Ryan this year.
The Falcons will ask Ryan to do a lot more passing to relieve the workload of running back Michael Turner. Turner rushed a league-high 336 376 times last year. Granted that Turner has turned into a pretty good running back, but such a workload can take a toll on a body. With a new plan to get more passes out, the 49ers will have to focus on containing Michael Jenking and Roddy White at the wide receiver position.
Both these receivers are fast and lengthy. If the 49ers can hold them down, they still need to find a way to contain the Falcons' biggest acquisition this off-season. Former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez's desire to be with a playoff team was enough to send him to Atlanta.
And Gonzalez's game opens up the field. The former Cal tight end averages nearly 12 yards per reception in his career. You can imagine the assignments that the 49ers linebackers will have. Gonzalez might be the most dangerous in the red zone. His size and speed will definitely cause tough matchups for the 49ers.
On defense, the Falcons are doing some shifting. At cornerback, it looks like Von Hutchins and Chris Houston should end as the starters. But it looks like an open competition where any of the other cornerbacks (Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson and Christpher Owens) could very easily take the starting spot.
The pressure on the 49ers quarterback will rely on the pass rush. Defensive end John Abraham has collected 26.5 sacks over the past two seasons and remains as a major threat to the 49ers' offensive line. The Falcons also signed veteran linebacker Mike Peterson from the Jaguars. Peterson has a great nose for the ball, which might make the running game for the 49ers very tough.
The key for the 49ers to win this game will come on the hands of the passing game. With a Falcons cornerback crew that isn't all too impressive, the 49ers have to take advantage of their passing opportunities. But if the 49ers defense cannot contain the running of Michael Turner and what looks to be a potentially more explosive passing game, the 49ers won't be able to w
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