The Atlanta Braves signed veteran catcher Jonah Heim to a major‑league deal on Feb. 10, 2026, hoping he could temporarily fill Sean Murphy’s spot after Murphy’s late‑season surgery. Once an All‑Star and Gold Glove winner in 2023, Heim’s production fell sharply in 2024‑25, posting a combined –0.4 fWAR and a wRC+ drop from 103 to 71. In Atlanta he appeared in 12 games, posting a .231/.311/.410 line and hitting his lone Braves homer on May 3 versus Colorado before being DFA‑ed and traded to the West Sacramento Athletics for cash. He later logged 93 games for the Athletics, finishing with a career‑low –0.6 fWAR, though he delivered clutch homers in June. The Braves ultimately missed Heim’s brief May‑June spark as their catcher depth unraveled.
The 49ers face three major threats against the Falcons in Week 7. Find out why Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Gervon Dexter Sr. could pose problems.
The Atlanta Braves are primed for a blockbuster trade to solve their chronic shortstop woes, targeting Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto. At 25 homers, 5+ WAR and a .770 OPS per season, Neto offers a franchise‑level upgrade at a cost of three years of arbitration ($9.8 M in 2027) versus the $200 M free‑agent price tag. With internal options like Jim Jarvis and prospects Tate Southisene, John Gil, and Alex Lodise far from ready, the Braves may tap their extensive trade history with the Angels to secure Neto, turning Atlanta back into a championship contender. The move hinges on surrendering significant prospect capital.
With Mike Evans sidelined by an Achilles flare before the 49ers’ Week 7 clash against Atlanta, San Francisco’s thin receiver corps gives rookie Jordan Watkins and fellow fourth‑round pick Jacob Cowing a rare chance to earn more snaps. Both have recorded just five catches each (Watkins 108 yards, Cowing 89 yards) after injuries stalled their progress, but Watkins has already seen 45% of offensive snaps and shown strong run‑blocking. If Evans misses the game, the Falcons matchup could be a pivotal moment for the two to prove their value before the depth chart reshuffles later in the season.
The Falcons sit 2‑4 after tough losses to the Ravens and Bears, then face a brutal stretch that includes the undefeated 49ers, a trip to Madrid against the Bengals, and games versus Detroit and a surging Browns squad. Despite the gauntlet, the article highlights bright spots: rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. is 13th in QBR with six TDs and one INT in his first four starts, and Atlanta’s defensive line—anchored by Gervon Dexter Sr., Brandon Dorlus and newcomer Maason Smith—ranks fifth in pass‑rush win rate and second in run‑stuff win rate. These developments give hope that the Falcons can rebound before the season’s end.
The 49ers are 6-0, but can they afford to rest Mike Evans and Nick Bosa against the Falcons? Here's why balancing health and playoff seeding matters.
Week six sees former Orange players making their mark in the NFL. Arizona’s Garrett Williams logs six tackles in a win over the Rams, while Atlanta’s Matthew Bergeron earns a 61.9 PFF grade against Chicago. Cleveland’s kicker Andre Szmyt bounces back after a missed attempt to nail the game‑winning field goal, lifting the Browns to first place with a 2‑3 FG record and a perfect extra‑point day. Other highlights: Zaire Franklin posts five tackles and two QB hurries for Green Bay, Oronde Gadsden catches three passes for the Chargers, and Riley Dixon punts five times for Tampa Bay with a 40.8‑yard net average. The post recaps each ex‑Orange player's week‑by‑week contributions.
A dropped touchdown, a returning rookie and 12 late-game targets give managers reasons to move six inflated October performers before their prices fall.
The Falcons' passing woes hinge on quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s struggles against pressure, and the article argues that elevating tight end Kyle Pitts is the fastest fix. In a 31-7 loss to the Ravens on Oct. 11, Pitts hauled in two second‑quarter touchdowns, including a 29‑yard slot catch that averted a turnover and showcased his contested‑catch skills. His 2025 second‑team All‑Pro status and recent slot usage (17 routes vs. Chicago) highlight his ability to thrive against blitzes. The piece recommends using Pitts more in the slot and as a traditional tight end to create mismatches and revive Atlanta’s aerial attack.
With Brock Purdy playing at a high level, the San Francisco 49ers have stayed unblemished with a 6-0 record. They will try to extend their winning streak when they visit the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Purdy would be the runaway winner as MVP had it been awarded today. He has thrown for 1,460 yards […]
The post 49ers fans will love Brock Purdy more after his honest admission about commercials appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The author debates whether to tune into the 2026 World Series after a season of mixed feelings about postseason baseball. While they followed the Braves’ two playoff series, they admit to multitasking and losing interest in the short‑series format. A major frustration is the difficulty of accessing playoff games on MLB.tv without extra hassle, which dampens their enthusiasm. They suggest that an a la carte postseason package could change their mind, but for now they remain undecided. The piece ends by asking readers if they’ll watch the final series.
Matt Olson becomes the first Atlanta Brave honored this offseason, earning the Fielding Bible Award for best defensive first baseman—his sixth such accolade and a Gold Glove finalist nod. The post also teases the next installment of the 2026 player review series, focusing on left‑hander Connor Thomas, and invites fans to revisit the ten most unlucky offensive moments for the Braves this year. In broader MLB news, the Washington Nationals plan to keep their entire coaching staff intact for the 2027 season.
Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson is well aware of the ongoing debate over the best running back in the NFL.
Corey Kispert, acquired in the Trae Young trade, heads into his second year with the Atlanta Hawks as a potential end‑of‑bench spark plug. After 39 games last season—where his minutes dwindled due to defensive lapses—Kispert says a full offseason and training camp have boosted his confidence. He showed improved perimeter shooting and occasional drives in preseason, but faces stiff competition from newcomers Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, limiting his playing time. Coach Quin Snyder may only insert Kispert during foul trouble or injuries, though his reputation as one of the team's better three‑point shooters could earn him a bigger role if he steadies on defense. The preview weighs his offensive upside against lingering defensive concerns as the 2026‑27 season begins.
The Cincinnati Bengals may consider re‑signing safety Jessie Bates III before the 2026 trade deadline to shore up a faltering secondary. After losing Bates to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, Cincinnati’s attempts to replace him—most recently signing veteran Bryan Cook, now hampered by injury—have struggled, with backups Jordan Battle and Kyle Dugger also dealing with issues. While the author doubts the move is realistic, he admits adding Bates could help the defense, noting Bates is entering the final year of his contract and the Falcons aren’t actively trading him.
Start time, how to watch, injury reports, a discussion thread, and more for the Charlotte Hornets vs the Atlanta Hawks.
The post Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks: Game 2 preview and discussion first appeared on At The Hive .
Brock Purdy says offseason footwork work has sharpened his fundamentals as the 49ers prepare to face Atlanta and pursue a 7-0 start.
Klay Kubiak says the 49ers trust their receivers to step up if Mike Evans can’t play against Atlanta as San Francisco pursues a 7-0 start.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had reasons to look around and wonder when his turn would come. Luka Doncic already collected All-NBA honors. Trae Young took Atlanta into the conference finals. Ja Morant reached the playoffs. Meanwhile, an injured Gilgeous-Alexander watched Oklahoma City lose its way to a 22-50 finish. Those differences described where four young guards stood […]
The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise challenges the NBA’s rush to judge young stars appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The 49ers could get Christian Kirk back against the Falcons, and George Kittle is fired up. Here's what the tight end said about Kirk's potential impact.
Bears Bears QB Caleb Williams was happy to be back on the field and get a big win over the Falcons in Week 6, even as he kept dodging questions about the exact nature of his hamstring injury. “I care about the team, the organization, winning, being out there, my teammates, all of that,” Williams […]
The post NFC Notes: Brian Flores, Caleb Williams, Luke Musgrave, Bears, Packers, Vikings appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co .
The 49ers could activate Christian Kirk for Sunday's game against the Falcons after the wide receiver made progress in practice, Kyle Shanahan says.
After Caleb Williams sparked a 31‑23 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears fan confidence jumps from a low 55% to 92%. With Williams back and the Bears favored by three points, they head into a primetime showdown against the New England Patriots on October 22, 2026. The article links to picks, game keys, prop bets and pregame Twitch discussion, plus the 2nd City Gridiron podcast and YouTube channel for deeper analysis.
Ahead of a home game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Atlanta Falcons posted a throwback logo as their profile picture, prompting a wave of social‑media backlash that likened the black‑white‑red design to Nazi imagery. While some fans shared jokes and AI‑generated comparisons to the Third Reich, others, like analyst Jason Kirk, said they saw no such connection and noted the logo has been used intermittently since the 1960s. The debate highlights how modern sports branding can unintentionally spark controversial reactions.
The 49ers injury report lists eight players out of Thursday's practice ahead of the Falcons game, including Nick Bosa and Mike Evans. Get the latest updates.