This is a team roughly on par with the Niners, and as such this game should be a fine indicator of how good the Niners really are.

Hill and Ryan have put up similar stats this season. Hill has 66 completions for 700 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a QB rating of 93.3. Ryan has 60 completions for 648 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a QB rating of 100.4. One huge difference is on the offensive line, where Hill has been sacked 13 times and Ryan only twice. Keep in mind, though, that Atlanta has played only three games so far. Ryan's favorite targets are TE Tony Gonzalez and big WR Michael Jenkins. Atlanta's main offensive weapon is RB Michael Turner, one of those big guys who are so hard to bring down. Turner is having a down year so far, averaging only 3.5 yards a carry. Still, with Frank Gore out for this game, you have to give the edge to the Falcons on offense.

Defense is another story. The Niners currently rank fourth in the league in rushing yards allowed per game, while the Falcons rank 25th. In terms of pass defense, the Niners rank tenth in the league, and the Falcons 27th (again based on yards per game). The Niners have a clear advantage on that side of the ball.

I would feel much better about this game if Gore was playing, but I think the home field will be the clinching factor here. Keep in mind that Hill hasn't lost a home game yet, and I'm hoping this won't be his first. The key is to get an early lead so they can't depend on Turner. Nonetheless, after the Niners defense contained Steven Jackson so well last Sunday, I think they can handle Turner just fine.

General opinion seems to be that Atlanta is better than their record, that they have just had some bad luck up to this point. A Niners victory would go a long way toward earning respect around the league. It would also give them momentum going into the bye week, and hopefully they come out of the bye with Gore and Crabtree ready to roll.

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