Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players to Watch at Niners

Nov 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) breaks a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Alterraun Verner (21) during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Devonta Freeman didn’t rush for over 100 yards on Sunday at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The offense turned the ball over four times, so that could explain him missing the century mark by 12 yards (88 rushing yards on 21 carries). A few more handoffs and he certainly would have gotten past 100.

Freeman hasn’t gotten into the end zone since Week 6 at New Orleans. Fortunately, the San Francisco 49ers are in the bottom third of the NFL in run defense. The Niners are 23rd in rushing yards allowed, 28th in rushing attempts, and 29th in rushing touchdowns allowed. San Francisco gives up 123.75 yards per game on the ground.

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I was looking forward to a tailback battle between Devonta Freeman and San Francisco’s Carlos Hyde, as they are two promising young starting tailbacks with their respective teams. Hyde won’t play because of injury, so expect Freeman to get enough yards for the both of them.

This feels like a game where Devonta could have over 200 all-purpose yards (150 rushing, 50 receiving). That seems borderline unfathomable, but isn’t Freeman essentially a guaranteed 150 all-purpose player in 2015? I think he takes it up a notch and plays angry in Week 9. Bad news for the 49ers, as Freeman gets over the century mark and in the end zone twice on Sunday.

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