ATLANTA — A perfect start to the 2026 season for the San Francisco 49ers was wiped out by a painful reminder that even an unbeaten team can’t overcome a 4-0 deficit in turnovers.
Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdown passes and the Atlanta Falcons scored 13 points off four takeaways Sunday to win 29-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, handing the 49ers their first loss after they opened 6-0.
“Any time you have four turnovers like that and you get zero, it’s real tough to win — too sloppy to win,” said San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan, who was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator for two seasons before taking over the 49ers ahead of the 2017 season.
The visitors were already thin at receiver before their offense faced additional limitations when running back Christian McCaffrey missed much of the first half with a thigh injury, then didn’t assume his normal workload when he returned after halftime.
A week after being carted off the field with what at first appeared to be a serious injury, Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels intercepted Brock Purdy’s pass intended for Jordan Watkins with 2:34 remaining. It was Purdy’s second interception.