49ers at Atlanta Falcons

Matt Bryant kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired and the Atlanta Falcons beat the 49ers 16-14 at the Georgia Dome. Matt Ryan threw for 273 yards but two interceptions. Frank Gore ran for 77 yards on 21 carries. Alex Smith threw an early touchdown to Frank Gore but added two interceptions, including a critical pick in the fourth quarter with the 49ers driving for the lead. Patrick Willis led the defense. The 49ers fell to 0-4.[1][2][3]

Matt Bryant lined up for a 43-yard field goal as time expired Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Dome. The 49ers had played the defense of their season for the first half. They had a 14-0 lead at one point, the kind of road start a team that wants to stay in the NFC West race needs to manufacture.

Bryant made the kick. Final 16-14, Falcons. Frank Gore ran for 77, caught seven for 60. Alex Smith threw an early Gore touchdown and a Vernon Davis touchdown, then threw two interceptions, the second one with the 49ers driving for the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Matt Ryan, despite two picks of his own, found enough Roddy White (8 catches for 100) and Michael Jenkins to drive Bryant into range.

The 49ers walked off the Georgia Dome floor at 0-4, the kind of road defeat that produces a Monday-morning quarterback-change watch. Singletary stayed publicly behind Smith. The Eagles come to Candlestick next Sunday, a Mike Vick redemption story or a Kevin Kolb debut, depending on health. The 49ers need a home win or the season is officially over.

Falcons 16, 49ers 14. Margin: -2. Four-game record: 0-4, -51 differential.

* Matt Bryant: 43y FG as time expired to win.
* Matt Ryan: 26-of-43 for 273, 1 TD, 2 INTs.
* Roddy White: 8 catches for 100.
* Alex Smith: 21-of-32 for 188, 2 TDs (Gore + Davis), 2 INTs (one critical 4Q pick).
* Frank Gore: 21 carries for 77; 7 catches for 60.
* Michael Turner: 16 carries for 50.
* Patrick Willis: team-leading tackles.
* Falcons 3-1; 49ers 0-4.

A 16-14 last-second road loss at the Georgia Dome. The 49ers fall to 0-4.

How it unfolded

Alex Smith threw an early touchdown to Frank Gore to make it 7-0 in the first quarter. The 49ers added a second touchdown on a Smith-to-Davis hookup before the half to make it 14-0. The Falcons answered with a Ryan-to-Roddy White touchdown drive before halftime to make it 14-7. In the third quarter Atlanta added a field goal to make it 14-10. The teams traded possessions and another Atlanta field goal made it 14-13 in the fourth quarter. The 49ers drove into Atlanta territory and Smith's second interception, picked off by Brent Grimes near midfield, gave Atlanta the ball with under four minutes left. Ryan ran the clock down, Bryant came on for the 43-yarder, and made it as time expired.

The turning point

Alex Smith's fourth-quarter interception with the 49ers driving for the go-ahead score. The pick at midfield gave the Falcons the field position and the final five-minute drill they needed.

By the numbers

Smith 188 passing on 32 attempts with two TDs and two INTs. Gore 77 rushing on 21 carries plus 60 receiving on 7 catches. Davis 50 receiving on 5 catches with a TD. Ryan 273 passing on 43 attempts with two INTs. White 100 receiving on 8 catches.

Personnel watch

Patrick Willis the defensive leader, generating sacks and tackles for loss. The 49ers' secondary holding up better than at Kansas City. The offensive line still struggling. Frank Gore productive but missing the breakout game.

What it means

0-4 for the first time since 2004. The kind of last-second road loss that produces a press conference quarterback-change conversation, even if Singletary stayed publicly with Smith. Philadelphia at Candlestick next Sunday.