Falcons vs 49ers Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 10/19/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
ATLANTA @ SAN FRANCISCO (SF -2.5, 47.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
FALCONS @ 49ERS 10/19/25
The Atlanta Falcons, who are led by the best defense in the league, will try to win three games in a row tonight when they travel to Santa Clara, California, to play the struggling San Francisco 49ers.
Atlanta (3-2) has defeated the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders at home to win back-to-back games against the defending conference finalists. The Falcons' defense has led the team's remarkable two-week run, which is crucial for a team hoping to end a seven-year postseason drought.
Atlanta’s defense, under the direction of first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, gives up a league-low 253.4 yards per game, and its 14 sacks are nearly half of the 31 the Falcons had the previous season. That number was the lowest in the NFL in 2024.
Last time out, the Falcons won 24–14 on Monday night, holding 2024 MVP Josh Allen to 180 passing yards while sacking him four times and intercepting him twice. This week, Atlanta will take on backup quarterback Mac Jones, but Falcons coach Raheem Morris is aware that his defense must maintain its high level of play with Christian McCaffrey in the San Francisco backfield.
The Falcons offense is also impressive. Atlanta has running back Bijan Robinson, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 822 total yards (484 rushing, 338 receiving) despite only playing in five games. McCaffrey, who has 780 yards from scrimmage, has played in six games.
Although he acknowledges the historic run he's been on, Robinson, who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after accumulating 238 yards from scrimmage against the Bills, understands that the team is only as good as its next victory.
"We've got to put (the win over Buffalo) to the side super fast, because the 49ers just came off of a loss and that's a great team," Robinson stated. "This week, they will be ready, so that should be the main priority. Our attention is diverted as soon as we begin to focus on the compliments we receive from social media.
Five players were ruled out by Atlanta: defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring), edge rusher Jalon Walker (groin), cornerback Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness), receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (unrelated to injury), and safety Jordan Fuller (knee). Both tackle Jake Matthews (ankle) and receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) missed practice on Friday and are considered questionable.
The 49ers' first five games were all decided by five points or less before Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 6, San Francisco (4-2) lost its top tackler, Fred Warner, to a dislocated and fractured ankle that ended his season. The 49ers' defense may be in disarray against a self-assured Atlanta squad, especially after five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa tore his ACL.
The offense will receive a significant boost, even though the 49ers defense is already plagued by injuries. George Kittle, a veteran tight end, will make his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury against the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener. Despite having limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday, Kittle worked hard on Friday and was released from inactive reserve on Saturday.
Shanahan told reporters on Friday that George had recovered "really well." "He came back 100%, had a good week of practice, and we'll space it out throughout the game, but there's no pitch count."
Jones has performed admirably at quarterback in place of Brock Purdy, who has been sidelined by both knee and oblique injuries. In four games, Jones has thrown for 1,252 yards and six touchdowns. On Friday, Purdy, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring), and receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) were all ruled out. Cornerbacks Renardo Green (neck) and Upton Stout (shoulder) are doubtful, as is defensive lineman Kevin Givens (pectoral).
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MAC JONES OVER 22.5 PASSING COMPLETIONS
The 49ers have the No. 1 pass offense in the NFL. They don’t run it so well, but tonight they’ll face a Falcons defense that is No. 1 against the pass. The 49ers are second in the league in pass attempts per game (40.2). They will likely use a quick, short passing game to counter the Falcons affinity for the blitz. Jones is best when he gets the ball out quickly, which is needed against Atlanta’s blitz packages. TE George Kittle is also expected to play, which gives Jones another target in the short passing game along with Christian McCaffrey. Jones has gone Over 22.5 completions in each of his 4 games this season. He’s averaging 28.2 completions per game.
