Falcons vs. 49ers: San Francisco Grades, Notes and Quotes

The Blaine Gabbert era got off to a good start as the San Francisco 49ers' new starting quarterback got his team out to a 17-13 lead by the third quarter over the visiting Atlanta Falcons in NFL Week 9. 

San Francisco's patchwork defense was able to hold Atlanta's vaunted offense to 302 yards over the course of the 17-16 victory.

A major part of the defense's success was its ability to bottle up Falcons No. 1 running back Devonta Freeman, who had just 12 yards on 12 carries—an average of just one yard per carry.

The biggest story, of course, was Gabbert taking over for Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick did come into the game after Gabbert took a big fourth-quarter hit and was removed under the league's concussion protocol. But Gabbert returned shortly thereafter, which made Kaepernick's return simply a brief stint.

The 49ers now stand at 3-6 following the win and will head into their Week 10 bye with a major question on their hands regarding their signal-caller.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert finished the day with 15 completions on 25 attempts for 185 yards and two touchdowns—a net passer rating of 76.2.

Gabbert did throw two interceptions during the contest, although the first was off a bobbled would-be reception.

Minus running back Carlos Hyde (foot), the 49ers scrambled to get some production out of backs Shaun Draughn and Pierre Thomas. Draughn finished the contest with 58 yards on 16 carries. San Francisco's new back was also effective in the receiving game with four catches for 38 yards.

The 49ers had some difficulties catching the ball, most notably wide receiver Jerome Simpson, but tight end Garrett Celek was a major impact with two critical touchdown receptions.

And hey, San Francisco's offensive line didn't allow a sack during the contest!

On the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers defensive line was able to all but eliminate Falcons running back Devonta Freeman and the Falcons rushing attack. Atlanta managed just 17 yards on the ground and averaged 1.2 yards per carry.

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who looked more like his All-Pro self, finished the game with seven tackles and a sack. And San Francisco's secondary—despite injuries to cornerbacks Tramaine Brock (shin), Kenneth Acker (concussion) and Keith Reaser (ankle)—did a solid job limiting quarterback Matt Ryan and the dangerous Falcons passing attack.

It was also nice to see head coach Jim Tomsula take a few more gambles during the contest, which has largely been absent during a lackluster season in San Francisco.

Giving the start to quarterback Blaine Gabbert seemed to be the right call as San Francisco's new starting signal-caller helped reinvigorate what has been an underwhelming, last-ranked offense.

Earlier in the week, Tomsula hinted the benching of Kaepernick was merely intended to be a breather, per Eric Branch of SFGate.com.

Gabbert's first three quarters were solid enough to suggest he deserves another start. And Kaepernick was even booed by the Levi's Stadium crowd when he made a brief appearance after Gabbert came out for a few snaps due to a big hit under center.

As noted previously, Gabbert's first interception wasn't his fault. Simpson bobbled and dropped a catchable pass that was picked off by Falcons defensive back Phillip Adams.

But the noteworthy connections between Gabbert and tight end Garrett Celek were the better parts of the tale in the quarterback's first start in San Francisco.

Freeman entered the Week 9 contest with 709 rushing yards on 152 carries. 

But the 49ers made it a point to completely take the vaunted back out of Atlanta's offensive approach.

San Francisco's defensive front did a solid job of closing off the rushing lanes that Freeman wanted to exploit. And, when the second-year back was able to get through, he was frequently met by the next line of the 49ers defense.

Bowman was tied for the team's lead in tackles (seven) during the game alongside cornerback Marcus Cromartie, who was also solid against the run. And two of Bowman's tackles were for a loss.

In total, San Francisco's defense had six tackles for a loss and was critical in ensuring that the Falcons couldn't get their offense going in Week 9.

Week 9's bout marked only the third victory for the 49ers in 2015. And all three of the team's wins have come at Levi's Stadium, which, not surprisingly, looked awfully vacant.

Atlanta entered the contest with a 6-2 record and boasted the league's sixth-best offense (213 points scored) and third-best run defense (667 yards allowed). All signs pointed to the Falcons steamrolling the lowly 49ers and their No. 32-ranked offense and suspect, banged-up secondary.

Gabbert may not have been the answer behind all of San Francisco's woes, but the 49ers offensive line did a much better job protecting a quarterback who intended to stay in the pocket. And Gabbert took more risks than what fans have seen out of Kaepernick.

But the biggest story was San Francisco's defense standing strong, considering what Atlanta is capable of doing over the course of 60 minutes.

That was the true difference-maker in Tomsula's third victory of the season.

The 49ers will now enjoy a Week 10 bye before traveling north to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11.

The biggest story heading into Week 9 was the benching of Kaepernick in favor of Gabbert.

Perhaps this had a trickle-down effect within San Francisco's offense; the 49ers were able to establish a stronger offensive identity than what has been seen in recent weeks.

Tomsula wasn't hesitant to give Gabbert some credit, via the team's website. But he was also favorable to the entire 49ers' effort and what they did against a good Falcons team on Sunday.

"Gabbert did a nice job today as did the team," the head coach said. "We have a ton of respect for Dan Quinn and the players they have over there.

We have a lot of work to do. I'm really proud of the way the guys competed today, but we have a lot of work to do."

Of course, Tomsula will have to wonder whether or not the 49ers will field Kaepernick as their starter in Week 11 against the Seahawks—a team against which Kaepernick has rarely fared well.

"Gabbert was our starter today and I don't have a comment past that," Tomsula stated, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, when asked if Gabbert would continue as the team's starter. "We got a win today."

At least this approach will force the Seahawks to prepare for both possibilities at the 49ers quarterback position.

NaVorro Bowman looked far more like the perennial All-Pro he usually is in Sunday's game against the Falcons. 

With seven tackles under his belt, two for a loss, and a sack on Ryan, Bowman's strong efforts were one of the primary reasons why San Francisco held Atlanta's offense in check for much of the contest.

And Bowman feels as if Sunday's performance is something upon which the 49ers can build heading into the off week.

"We're going to continue to get better," Bowman said, via 49ers.com. "I think today was a good example of how hard we're working to get it right."

Bowman was also complimentary of the offense and the performance of Gabbert.

"He did a great job today to get us this win," Bowman said. "I was impressed with his confidence. Our hats go off to him."

The 49ers put forth a well-rounded effort in Week 9: an effective offense combined with a stalwart defense. And they'll need every bit of that in two weeks when the team takes on the Seahawks in Seattle.

Week 9 marked the first start Gabbert had in the regular season since joining the 49ers at the start of 2014. 

And coming away with a victory certainly makes it that much sweeter.

"I'm so appreciative of this opportunity," Gabbert said, via Taylor Price of 49ers.com. "I just wanted to go out there and compete."

To his credit, Gabbert kept himself ready for such a start in the event that he got the call. 

"As soon as you lose that vision of seeing yourself as a starter, you regress," he continued. "Keep working and grinding though the ups and downs."

Gabbert and the 49ers are now faced with a tough decision following their bye week. Should Gabbert continue to start for San Francisco against a much better defense in Seattle? Or will the 49ers hope the week off will play to the struggling Kaepernick's benefit?

Regardless of the pending decision, Gabbert and the 49ers will enter the midseason break on a positive note and about as much momentum as they could get knocking off a dangerous Falcons team in Week 9.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

Peter Panacy is a Featured Columnist covering the San Francisco 49ers for Bleacher Report. Follow him @PeterPanacy on Twitter.