We need to win football games, and we need to win them one at a time. It was an up and down performance from the former 10th overall pick, but San Francisco got 18 first downs after gaining just 11 last week against the Rams and just 8 against the Seahawks.
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However, he acquitted himself, giving the 49ers defense a chance to with the game. Both of his touchdown passes went to new starting tight end Garrett Celek down in the Falcons’ red zone.
When the quarterback situation is as dire as San Francisco’s, it’s naturally a week-to-week proposition. This comes after a 17-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons, in which Gabbert played a very good game. The offense floundered under previous starter Colin Kaepernick, who may actually be on the way out of San Francisco.
Start with Blaine Gabbert, the quarterback whose five-yard bootleg run on third down sealed the win. Atlanta’s lone touchdown for the game came from Devonta Freeman on a 17-yard catch in the second quarter.
With the 49ers in their bye week, Gabbert will have two weeks to prepare for the Seahawks.
Kaepernick logged exactly two plays, a handoff and a catchable but dropped pass, while Gabbert was shaken up during the second half.
Celek took on a bigger role this week after Vernon Davis was traded to Denver. “I think a lot of factors will go into that”.
We’ll be doing plenty of film breakdown in the winter and spring, but I wanted to start with something fairly simple. “And we found something that works for us”. “I don’t believe in pressure”. Atlanta opted not to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1, kicking a field goal, then falling just short.
“Much credit goes out to that defense”, Freeman said, adding he supported Quinn’s fourth-down call.
This is going to be a tough game for Gabbert.
“It’s certainly disappointing any time you have back-to-back losses”, Quinn said.
The latest bottom dweller to hand the Birds a defeat was San Francisco. “He was one of the leading rushers in the league”, 49ers defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie said. “It just felt good flying around, having fun”.
NOTES: Falcons rookie wideout Justin Hardy was active for the second straight week and made four catches for 17 yards in place of Leonard Hankerson, inactive because of a hamstring injury…. “Really did a nice job, so congratulations to him”. CB Kenneth Acker (concussion) was also inactive, though Tomsula said it was more precautionary and he expects Acker “to be back and rolling”.
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A first-round bust in Jacksonville, Gabbert made his first start in more than two years and exhibited the poise and production demoted starter Kaepernick lacked all year. According to Tomsula, Gabbert’s spot on the top line of the depth chart is only guaranteed for that game.
