photo from sfgate.com: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) sits next to the goal line after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.

By Barbara Mason

On Sunday afternoon, the San Francisco Forty Niners took on the Atlanta Falcons at Levi Stadium. While most looked at this game as a walkover, we do have to remember that midseason the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints. This is a league of “any given Sundays” and no team can be taken for granted.

Jimmy Garoppolo has been exceptional as has been the San Francisco defense so signs point to their 14th win of the season. A win today will mean a playoff berth for the team. This Sunday will mark the first time in nearly three years that quarterback Matt Ryan and Coach Kyle Shanahan have been on the same field. Shanahan and Ryan had a dream season prior to the devastating loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. Atlanta is a 10 1/2 point underdog

The first quarter was a defensive effort by both teams. Matt Ryan would finish the quarter with 15 yards and Garoppolo would finish with 26 yards. The quarter would end with neither team finding the end zone although San Francisco was threatening deep in Atlanta territory.

The 49ers would start the second quarter with a Mostert rush for two yards and the first touchdown of the game giving San Francisco a 7-0 lead.. When it looked like the 49ers were taking control of the game, Matt Ryan would find Julio Jones for 5 yards and the touchdown to tie up the game at 7.

The Falcons were not finished. On their next drive Atlanta settled for a 43 yard Younghoe Koo field goal and the 10-3 lead. San Francisco would go to work with two minutes left in the half. Although unable to score the touchdown, San Francisco kicker Robbie Gould would kick a 22 yards field goal to tie up the game at the half 10-10.

Midway through the third quarter the teams remained tied at 10. That’s when it appeared that San Francisco was finally making their move. Robbie Gould kicked a 46 yard field goal taking a 13-10 lead. It was the fourth quarter that proved to be their undoing.

San Francisco scored a Garoppolo to Juszczyk touchdown from two yards out and the 49ers had their second score in a row for a 19-10 lead. Gould would miss the extra point. Atlanta answered and scored a touchdown with 5 minutes left. This game became very tight in the closing minutes 19-17. Robbie Gould would kick a successful 43 yard field goal to extend the 49ers lead 22-17. There was only 1:48 left on the clock.

When it looked like another San Francisco win, Matt Ryan would drive downfield and finish with a 5 yard pass Julio Jones for the go ahead touchdown 23-22. Their two point conversion attempt would fail. With seconds left on the clock a fumble return by the Falcons to score a touchdown gave them the win 29-22.

San Francisco had lost their third game of the season and dropped into a Wild Card spot in a real shocker. As I said “any given Sunday”!