The 49ers overcame 6 turnovers, including 2 interceptions returned for TDs, to squeak out a last-second 34-31 victory over the Falcons in Atlanta.
K Art Carmody nailed his 2nd game-winning field goal in the last 3 games as time expired, this one from 45 yards out. Carmody also hit a 26-yarder in the 2nd quarter.
QB Alex Smith endured another bittersweet game, throwing for 340 yards and 3 TDs, but he was also picked off 4 times for the 2nd straight game. 2 of the interceptions were in the red zone, and Smith also lost a fumble. He has thrown 13 interceptions in the last 4 games, compared to only 7 in the first 6 games of the season.
Smith\'s main target was TE Vernon Davis, who turned in a solid game. Davis hauled in 9 catches for 160 yards and all 3 of Smith\'s TD passes. FB Jacob Hester also added 5 catches.
RB Frank Gore kept the Atlanta defense honest all game, totaling 273 yards from scrimmage. Gore rushed for 225 yards on 43 carries and also added 48 yards receiving, but failed to reach the end zone. RB Jamaal Charles scored the 49ers\' lone rushing TD and accumulated over 200 all-purpose yards.
The 49er defense had a solid game, holding Atlanta to only 193 total yards, but gave up 2 big TD catches to WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh. DE Derrick Harvey pulled in 2 sacks to push his season total to 16.
The 49ers improve to 8-2 but remain on the road to take on the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals sit at 7-3 and are looking to upset the 49ers to take over the NFC West lead.
