Mariota, Falcons brace for test against 49ers’ stiff defense October 13 ATLANTA (AP) There may be no better opportunity for Marcus Mariota to prove he can be more than a bridge at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons than in this week’s matchup with San Francisco and its top-rated defense.Mariota and the Falcons (2-3) face the 49ers (3-2), who allow only 12.2 points per game, tied for the league lead. The in last week’s 37-15 win over the Carolina Panthers, another NFC South team.Mariota has played about as expected of a former high draft pick trying to revive his career. He has only four touchdown pa ses with four interceptions but has given the offense another running threat.Mariota has been held under 200 pa sing yards in three of five games. The Falcons have been a , gaining at least 150 yards on the ground four times.The 49ers lead the NFL in total defense and rushing defense. They rank third against the pa s, so there are no easy answers for Mariota and the Falcons.We understand we got a big challenge in front of us, Mariota said. Nick Foles Jersey Its a really good defense, great players who are kind of all over the board.The 49ers have overcome injuries to quarterback Trey Lance and running back Elijah Mitchell. has five TD pa ses with one interception while Jeff Wilson Jr. has rushed for 375 yards while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.I think he doesnt me s around, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said of Wilson. He knows himself, he puts his foot down and goes forward.The Falcons signed Mariota to a two-year deal immediately after to Indianapolis. Rookie third-round pick Desmond Ridder has yet to play for Atlanta.JARRETT’S STRONG STARTFalcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was in the news last week after being called for a controversial Zach Ertz Jersey against Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady. The much-criticized call wiped a sack off Jarrett’s statistics and robbed the Falcons of an opportunity to mount a potential game-winning drive.The flag doesn’t diminish Jarrett’s strong start after signing a $51 million, three-year contract extension that continues through 2025.Smith said Jarrett is playing as if he’s trying to earn a contract instead of a veteran who just signed a new deal.I think its impre sive the guy gets a new contract, and I dont know if theres anybody working or playing harder than he is, Smith said.Jarrett leads Atlanta with 3 1/2 sacks and five tackles for lo ses.Hes having a terrific season, Smith said. Hes one of those guys where the more Ive been around him, the more fortunate I feel I am to be able to coach a guy like Grady. Hes rare.ROAD TRIPThe 49ers saved themselves two cro s-country flights by practicing in West Virginia this week after last Sundays win at Carolina. San Francisco is 4-0 in the second game of two-game trips the past three seasons.BANGED-UP SECONDARYSan Francisco sustained big lo ses to its secondary last week when starting cornerback Emmanuel Moseley went down with a season-ending knee injury and safety Andre Dillard Jersey Jimmie Ward broke his hand on his first play back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him the first four games. But the Niners are in much better shape to weather those lo ses this year than in the past with big-ticket free-agent acquisition Charvarius Ward locking up one cornerback spot and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson making big plays each week.Moseleys spot could be taken either by second-year players Deommodore Lenoir or Ambry Thomas, rookie Sam Womack or veteran Jason Verrett, who is close to returning from a knee injury that has sidelined him since Week 1 of the 2021 season.Last year that was our biggest worry, Shanahan said about the secondary. We knew how thin we were there with the rookies and stuff and then losing Verrett that first game was tough. Thats why we had to go sign vets right away. Weve had the injuries this year, but we have some rookies who got experience last year and we also brought in a couple of guys and I like our draft picks too, so we got some more depth, which helps.FALCONS HEALINGThe Falcons will again be without top running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who is on injured reserve following knee surgery. Tight end Kyle Pitts could return after mi sing last weeks with a hamstring injury.TEVINS RETURNTevin Colemans first extensive action in his second stint with San Francisco went much better than the end of his first. Coleman averaged 1.9 yards per carry in eight games in 2020 before leaving to sign with the Jets. He returned to San Francisco last month and looked fresh last week when he had a TD catch and a TD run. That could earn Coleman even more time this week when he faces the Falcons, the team he spent Corey Clement Jersey his first four seasons with before leaving for the Niners. Ive been impre sed, Shanahan said. Its kind of what we expect him to do. … I thought we were really fortunate to get Tevin back here when we did.___AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.___More AP NFL coverage: hub/NFL and AP_NFL in this topic National Football League San Francisco 49ers Charvarius Ward Ambry Thomas Jason Verrett Kyle Pitts Tashaun Gipson Sr. Deommodore Lenoir Elijah Mitchell Marcus Mariota Tevin Coleman Trey Lance Cordarrelle Patterson Grady Jarrett Matt Ryan Tom Brady Jimmy Garoppolo Carolina Panthers San Francisco Wes Hopkins Jersey 49ers Atlanta Falcons Spain or Morocco? 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