The Atlanta Falcons have lost two straight games against tough teams - and it's not about to get any easier with the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers set to visit on Sunday afternoon.
If nothing else this should be a good measuring-stick kind of game for the Falcons, where we'll get to find out just how far off they are from contending.
For what it's worth, Pete Prisco at CBS Sports is expecting a close finish. He has Atlanta losing by just two points.
"The 49ers are rolling as the league's best team, especially on offense. But losing Mike Evans will hurt. The Falcons couldn't stop the Bears last week, so what's to think they will slow down Brock Purdy? They might not. But the Falcons will keep up. It's close. Pick: 49ers 30, Falcons 28
If we knew how the Falcons could upset Kyle Shanahan's Niners we wouldn't be blogging about it, that's for sure.
The last time these two teams met was almost exactly a year ago, and the 49ers came out on top, 20-10.
Michael Penix threw for 241 yards and a touchdown and Mac Jones only threw for 152 yards, no touchdowns and a pick but the Niners wound the ground game handily. Bijan Robinson was limited to just 40 yards on 14 carries, while Christian McCaffrey racked up 129 yards on 24 attempts.
Sunday's game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: CBS Sports predicts close finish between Falcons, 49ers