Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players to Watch at Niners

There are just too many Atlanta Falcons that won’t play on Sunday due to injury. It’s not surprising as most of these injuries seem like the wear and tear that comes from playing eight straight games in the National Football League. However, so many are on the defensive side of the ball, it’s a little alarming.

Even if the 49ers offense isn’t all that spectacular, who will have to step up with key starters like Alford, Durant, and Moore all sidelined? My guess is that OLB O’Brien Schofield will have a monster game on Sunday.

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Schofield is the player most well-versed in Dan Quinn’s 4-3 Under Base Scheme. The once rotational piece on the Seahawks is now very much a starting caliber player for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015. He’s been one of the most exciting players to watch on the front seven, as his motor might actually be the best on the team.

Blaine Gabbert is a relatively mobile quarterback, but doesn’t have the wheels of Colin Kaepernick, so look for the Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush to get after Gabbert on Sunday in a big way. It wouldn’t shock me to see Gabbert be brought down three or four times: twice from good Atlanta Falcons’ pass rushing scheme, twice from poor pocket awareness by Gabbert.

If one player on the Atlanta Falcons is going to sack Gabbert, I’d have to say its Schofield because of his motor, his familiarity with Quinn’s pass rushing principles, and that he still probably doesn’t care for San Francisco from his Seattle Days. Look for big things from Schofield on Sunday.

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