The 49ers are no longer among the NFL’s unbeaten teams after falling to the Falcons 29–20 on Sunday. San Francisco was bound to lose at some point, but this loss also put the team’s weaknesses on display: the defense and special teams must improve.

By starting 6–0, the 49ers cemented themselves as one of the league’s best teams, jumping to the top of power rankings and reemerging as a Super Bowl contender. Now, they’ve shown they also have work to do— especially ahead of the trade deadline .

The 49ers’ pass rush disappears again vs. the Falcons

The 49ers’ defense did a good job limiting Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ run game, holding him to 3.6 yards per carry, but their lack of a pass rush and discipline as a unit proved costly. The 49ers finished last in the NFL in sacks last season, and started 2026 slow again, registering just six sacks through the first four games.…