Can the 49ers Hold Their Surprising Halftime Edge as Sunday Night Football Heats Up?

Going into Week 7, the 49ers’ ground game was barely limping along, sputtering at just 3.1 yards per carry — nothing to write home about. But tonight? Oh, they’re flipping the script. Christian McCaffrey’s been slicing through the Falcons’ defense like a hot knife through butter, racking up 76 yards on a dozen carries, plus a touchdown. Brian Robinson’s chipped in too, making those carries count for nearly six yards apiece. Combine those efforts, and the 49ers are amassing a solid 100 yards on 17 tries, cruising to a 10-3 lead at halftime. You gotta wonder how much bigger that lead might be if Mac Jones’ pass to Jauan Jennings hadn’t slipped through his fingers right into the interception. Meanwhile, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. is handing the 49ers some gifts — a fumble recovered after a brutal strip-sack, and a costly intentional grounding penalty that wiped out the clock. Despite all that, Penix’s stats aren’t shabby: 13 completions on 19 throws for 128 yards, with Bijan Robinson chipping in both on the ground and through the air. It’s been a night of ups and downs, with 49ers center Jake Brendel limping off due to a hamstring and shuffled substitutes stepping up. Now, the 49ers are ready to kick off the second half — can they keep this momentum rolling? LEARN MORE

The 49ers entered their Week 7 matchup with the Falcons averaging a paltry 3.1 yards per carry.

They’re doing a whole lot better than that on Sunday night, with a Christian McCaffrey leading the way for a 10-3 halftime lead.

McCaffrey has 76 yards on 12 carries with a 1-yard touchdown, while Brian Robinson has 24 yards on five attempts, working out to a 5.9-yard average. In all, that comes out to 100 yards on 17 carries — good for a 5.9-yard average.

McCaffrey also has a pair of catches for 19 yards.

Had a Mac Jones pass to Jauan Jennings not gone off the receiver’s hands for an interception in the second quarter, the 49ers would likely have a larger lead.

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. fumbled late in the second quarter on a strip-sack by Bryce Huff. The 49ers recovered it and were able to convert on a 55-yard field goal to give themselves a seven-point advantage.

Penix also made a critical mistake at the end of the half, throwing a ball out of bounds to avoid a sack. But Penix was still in the pocket and was flagged for intentional grounding. With the 10-second runoff, the second quarter ended with that foul.

Penix was 13-of-19 for 128 yards in the first half. Bijan Robinson has 22 yards on seven carries along with three receptions for 20 yards.

On the injury front, 49ers center Jake Brendel had to come off the field midway through the second quarter and is out with a hamstring injury. Matt Hennessy went in to play center. While left guard Connor Colby had to briefly exit, he didn’t miss many snaps.

The 49ers will receive the second-half kickoff.