Mac Jones and the San Francisco 49ers sealed a big primetime win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, with major contract implications for the quarterback
The San Francisco 49ers’ 20-10 Sunday Night Football victory over the Atlanta Falcons did more than boost their hold on the NFC West — it activated a key incentive in Mac Jones’ contract that now turns what was a modest deal into one with meaningful upside.
With the win, Jones recorded his fourth victory as a starter under the new deal, thereby triggering the clause that awards him a bonus payout, while starting quarterback Brock Purdy is on the verge of returning from a toe injury.
The night in Santa Clara began with the 49ers, missing All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who is out for the season, battering the ground game that had betrayed them earlier in the season: after struggling to generate yards on the ground, San Francisco piled up 174 rushing yards on 39 carries, highlighted by star running back Christian McCaffrey’s 129-yard, two-touchdown performance.
McCaffrey finished with 201 yards from scrimmage — his first 200-yard regular-season game since Week 16 in 2023.
Early on, the 49ers defense set the tone: a 19-play, 60-yard Falcons drive ending in a field goal gave the visitors a 3-0 lead, but San Francisco responded. McCaffrey bullied his way in from one yard out late in the first half to make it 7-3, after the 49ers turned a pass-interception (off a tipped Mac Jones throw) into a short field.
A strip-sack by Bryce Huff on Michael Penix Jr., recovered by Alfred Collins at the Falcons 40, set up a 55-yard field goal by Eddy Piñeiro, giving the 49ers a 10-3 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Falcons managed to cut the lead to 13-10, but in the fourth quarter, San Francisco’s defense rose again. Faced with a third-and-1 at their own 35, the Falcons were stuffed; on the next fourth down, a pass from Penix to Drake London was broken up by Chase Lucas, turning the ball over on downs.
The 49ers then drove the ball on the ground before Mac Jones connected with McCaffrey for a 17-yard gain on third-and-14, setting up McCaffrey’s fourth-quarter touchdown that sealed the game at 20-10.
Jones’ performance was steady if unexceptional: he was 17-of-26 for 152 yards with one interception, his worst passing yardage mark in his starts so far but his team still delivered when it mattered.
