How the 49ers' Week 7 loss was made worse by NFC West results
The 49ers lost for the first time in Week 7, and wins by the Seahawks and Rams made matters worse. Here's how the NFC West standings have changed.
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NFC Playoff Picture: San Francisco 49ers lose but remain in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed
The 49ers drop their first game of the season but stay second in the NFC behind the 6‑0 Vikings, keeping the No. 1 seed within reach thanks to a head‑to‑head tiebreaker edge. After Week 7 the Niners sit 6‑1 overall and 3‑0 in the West, while Seattle sits 4‑3 and the Rams 3‑4. Across the conference, Minnesota leads at 6‑0, followed by New York (4‑2‑1) and Carolina (3‑3). The article notes the Vikings’ tough remaining slate, the Giants’ surprise surge under J.J. McCarthy, and the volatility of other contenders like the Seahawks, Rams and Falcons, underscoring how much still hangs in the balance.
Pacific Notes: Kessler, Doncic, Warriors, Lopez
Walker Kessler’s promising Lakers debut stalls against his former Utah Jazz, posting just 2 points, 7 rebounds and a block in 28.5 minutes, though L.A. still wins. He admits emotion weighed heavy returning to Utah. Meanwhile, the Warriors dip into their bench early, starting Will Richard, Graham Ike, Brandon Williams, Gui Santos and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, but expect key players—Curry, Podziemski, Green and Horford—to return Monday. Clippers backup Brook Lopez continues to contribute 15+ points and a block in each of his three games off the bench. Luka Doncic, despite being left off the MVP shortlist, dazzles with 52 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in a Lakers win over the Jazz, sparking talk of “greatness fatigue.”
Charles Bassey hints at a solution to Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis problem
Charles Bassey's limited minutes in his return hinted that he could be a solution for the Golden State Warriors as they remain without Kristaps Porzingis.
3 Winners and 11 Losers from the 49ers’ loss to the Falcons
The 49ers fell 31‑28 to the Falcons in Week 7 despite outgaining them by 105 yards, plagued by seven penalties, four turnovers and a missed extra point by Eddy Pineiro. Winners include Fred Warner (team‑high 13 tackles, two TFL), George Kittle (8 catches for 88 yards and five impact plays), Christian McCaffrey (71.4% success rate, 61 receiving yards) and Brock Purdy (top‑five QB success rate, key first‑down throws). Losers are highlighted by Pineiro’s extra‑point miss and the costly pass‑rush breakdown. The Niners remain 6‑1 and still rank among the NFL’s best, but Sunday's mistakes proved costly.
49ers Notebook: Jordan Watkins steps up for injured WRs; Kaelon Black's mostly positive performance; What happened on Brock Purdy's INTs?
The 49ers' loss to the Falcons featured a breakout outing from Jordan Watkins, Kaelon Black's first NFL touchdown, and two costly Brock Purdy interceptions.
5 Biggest Letdowns From NFL Week 7 on Sunday, Including Josh Jacobs and the Panthers
NFL Week 7 delivered several disappointing performances, highlighted by the Carolina Panthers' 43-0 loss to the Buccaneers, where Baker Mayfield threw just 11 passes and the defense surrendered 26 points in the second quarter. The Packers’ Josh Jacobs continued the league’s worst rushing attack, managing only 3.3 yards per carry on 11 carries. The San Francisco 49ers piled up 400 offensive yards but fumbled twice and threw two interceptions, barely edging the Falcons. New York Jets kicker Jason Sanders missed a crucial field goal in a 21-18 loss to Miami, and the Houston Texans were outplayed by the Giants despite a favorable matchup.
Warriors have a Stephen Curry contract problem no one wants to discuss
The Golden State Warriors have a Stephen Curry contract problem no one wants to discuss after the two-time MVP sat out Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns.
Raheem Morris' grudge match vs. Falcons utterly turned into 49ers embarrassment
The 49ers had few defensive answers against the Falcons, which has to leave Raheem Morris disgusted at being beat by his former employer.
NFC Playoff Picture: Vikings are the top team in the conference, as we all expected
The Minnesota Vikings sit atop the NFC at 6‑0, solidifying their position as the conference's sole unbeaten team after the 49ers slipped to 6‑1 in Week 7. In the NFC North, Chicago (5‑2) and Detroit (4‑2) win, while Green Bay falls to 4‑3, leaving all four division teams above .500 and on track for playoff spots. The latest standings show the Vikings leading, followed by the 49ers, Giants (4‑2‑1), Panthers (3‑3) and the rest of the pack. The Kansas City Chiefs aim to match Minnesota’s perfect record in the upcoming Sunday night game.
NFL Week 7: Biggest Winners and Losers, Including Cam Skattebo and the Falcons
NFL Week 7 delivered clear winners and losers. The Atlanta Falcons upset the San Francisco 49ers, moving a half‑game closer to the division lead thanks to Michael Penix Jr.’s offense and a defense that forced two fumbles and two interceptions. Deshaun Watson posted his first 300‑yard passing game (308 yards, 25‑of‑36) to lead the Cleveland Browns to a game‑winning drive. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints’ rushing attack sputters with Alvin Kamara gaining just five yards on six carries and the team finishing with a paltry 18 yards on 17 attempts. The Carolina Panthers’ rush defense collapses, allowing 43 points and a season‑high to Tampa Bay. Derrick Henry struggles for the Ravens, managing only 45 yards on 17 carries. These performances shape the early playoff picture.
Rams vs. Raiders final score: L.A. pulls back into playoff race
The Los Angeles Rams snap a slump with a 35-21 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, boosting them to 3-4 and back into the NFC West chase. Matthew Stafford throws three TD passes, and Kyren Williams adds a rushing score, giving the Rams a 28-6 halftime lead. Despite a costly fake‑punt conversion, a fumble, a facemask penalty and an interception that kept the game closer than expected, the defense holds firm and Blake Corum seals the victory with a late rushing TD. The win comes as the 49ers slip to 6‑1, keeping L.A.'s playoff hopes alive ahead of a Week 8 showdown with the Chargers.
Week 8 NFL Power Rankings: Bears, Lions, Seahawks Rise Among Best NFL Teams, Texans and Ravens Sink in Week 7
Sportsnaut’s Week 8 NFL power rankings put the Kansas City Chiefs at the summit, highlighting Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker III’s balanced attack and a looming defensive showcase against Seattle. The Buffalo Bills sit second (5‑1) with the league’s top offense (32.8 PPG) but a porous defense that forces them into shootouts. The San Francisco 49ers slip to third after a Week 7 loss in Atlanta, though injuries to Mike Evans and Christian McCaffrey should ease after their bye. Minnesota Vikings remain the lone NFC undefeated team at fourth, thanks to a defense that outshines a struggling offense. Rising Detroit Lions (4‑2) claim fifth as a rebounding defense supports Jared Goff, while the Chicago Bears round out the top six despite recent inconsistencies.
Fans Call Out ‘Atrocious’ National Anthem In Paris, Refs Face Heat Across Games, Jets Player Yells at Teammate & More From NFL Sunday’s Action
Week 7 delivered drama across the NFL, highlighted by the league’s first regular‑season game in France where the Steelers defeated the Saints 16‑10 at Stade de France. Fans slammed the national‑anthem performance and questioned several calls, including a overturned fumble on T.J. Watt. In Nashville, a missed false‑start before Cleveland’s game‑winning field goal sparked Titans fan ire. The Falcons snapped the 49ers’ unbeaten streak, the Bengals rallied from a 13‑0 halftime hole to beat the Ravens 35‑13, and the Vikings moved to 6‑0. Notably, Garrett Wilson shouted at Geno Smith as the Dolphins earned their first win, while J.J. McCarthy guided the Giants to an overtime victory in his debut start.
Seahawks-Chiefs inactives: Drew Lock sidelined, Jalen Milroe to slot in as backup
The Seahawks head into Week 7 against the unbeaten Chiefs with several key players sidelined, including emergency quarterback Drew Lock (right elbow) and running back Zach Charbonnet (knee). Defensive leaders like Demarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu are questionable but expected to play. Kansas City also faces a hit to its offense, missing star WR Rashee Rice (hamstring) and other contributors. Seattle hopes to rebound from recent losses to the 49ers and Broncos and inch toward NFC West supremacy, while Patrick Mahomes will be without two top weapons.
49ers lost to Falcons but gained crucial insight on WR dilemma ahead of deadline
The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Atlanta Falcons, but they gained some much-needed perspective in the process.
Drake London Was Brutally Punched In The Head by 49ers Defender In Violent Game That Saw Him Checked For Concussion [VIDEO]
Drake London had to leave the game after a hit that looked brutal.
49ers’ Brock Purdy explains brutal blunder that cost San Francisco during Falcons upset
Coach Kyle Shanahan, QB Brock Purdy and other familiar faces led the 49ers into gridiron battle against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 action that included a Christian McCaffrey injury scare. Fans debated whether San Francisco could finish the season undefeated like the 1972 Miami Dolphins ahead of the game and got their answer as […] The post 49ers’ Brock Purdy explains brutal blunder that cost San Francisco during Falcons upset appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Why Shawn Marion feels Hall of Fame is ‘signed, sealed, delivered’
PHOENIX– The Matrix is back. That is, if it was only for the night. Shawn Marion and many of his fellow Phoenix Suns teammates and alumni were honored before the team’s home opener against the Golden State Warriors. The last major event here was his Ring of Honor induction back in 2023. During that time, […] The post Why Shawn Marion feels Hall of Fame is ‘signed, sealed, delivered’ appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Suns’ bench is showing the starters how it’s done
Two games into the 2026‑27 season, the Phoenix Suns’ starting five still lack chemistry, with new faces like Miles Bridges and Khaman Maluach causing defensive lapses that left shooters such as Damian Lillard open against Portland and the Warriors. Miscommunication also hampers offense, leading to duplicate screens and missed back‑screen sets. In contrast, the bench shows cohesion; Devin Booker praised the second unit’s clear roles and sync after the win over Golden State on Oct. 24. Coach hopes the starters will learn from the bench’s discipline as they aim to gel before the season’s midway point.
Kevin Stefanski makes sure to credit Falcons fans for showing out vs. 49ers after Bears debacle
The Atlanta Falcons are one of the most inconsistent and unpredictable teams in the NFL through the first half of the season. Earlier in the year, they went into Green Bay and hammered the Packers 35-14. While they followed that with another road victory over the New Orleans Saints, they lost consecutive home games to […] The post Kevin Stefanski makes sure to credit Falcons fans for showing out vs. 49ers after Bears debacle appeared first on ClutchPoints .
What was Kyle Shanahan's message to 49ers after sloppy loss to Falcons?
The 49ers committed four turnovers in their first loss of the season. Rookie Kaelon Black shares Kyle Shanahan's message and how teammates responded.
Key 49ers stats and notes from 29-20 Week 7 loss to Falcons
The 49ers fell to the Falcons 29-20 in Week 7. Explore key stats and notes on Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, rookie Kaelon Black and more.
Brandon Williams is already giving Warriors a clear upgrade over Pat Spencer
Pat Spencer was a darling for Golden State Warriors fans, but they now have a clear upgrade at the backup point guard spot in Brandon Williams.
Brock Purdy's MVP case takes a sizable hit as 49ers get upset by Falcons
The San Francisco 49ers lost to an inferior team in the Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Brock Purdy's MVP chances took a pretty big hit as well.
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