Ugly mistakes earn 49ers first failing grade of season in loss to Falcons

Too many injuries.Too many mistakes.Finally, it all became too much for the 49ers to overcome. San Francisco turned the ball over four times in opposing territory, failed to force a takeaway and allowed the Falcons to extend multiple drives via penalties and missed assignments.Despite scoring the game’s first two touchdowns, the Niners allowed Atlanta to score on four consecutive possessions and were handed their first loss of the season, 26-20.The defeat sends San Francisco into its bye week at 6-1, still on top of the NFC West.Our report card:Brock Purdy got the ball to begin the third quarter in an unfamiliar position: Trailing 19-14.Purdy had been asked to author just one second-half comeback this season, when he rode Mike Evans down the field for the go-ahead score Week 5 in Seattle.Without Evans at his disposal against the Falcons, it went differently this time around.Michael Penix Jr.

led Atlanta down the field on its first possession of the second half, and the next two chances Purdy got to retake the lead ended in an interception and a fourth-down sack.It looked like Purdy was trying to throw the ball away after being forced out of the pocket on second-and-14 from the Atlanta 25, but it went straight into the arms of Jessie Bates III.The 49ers were back in Falcons territory on their next trip down the field, but after a touchdown completion to Jordan Watkins was overturned, Purdy missed a third-down throw to Christian McCaffrey and succumbed to the pass rush on fourth down, giving the ball right back.Including Kaelon Black’s fumble on the 49ers’ final drive of the first half, San Francisco drove into Atlanta territory on three straight possessions that produced zero points.The 49ers had crossed midfield again with less than 3 minutes left, trailing by six, when Purdy was picked off for a second time by rookie linebacker Kendall Daniels.Purdy had thrown only two interceptions through his first six games; he was picked off twice against the Falcons fo...