Falcons topple 49ers
Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdown passes and the Atlanta Falcons capitalised on four San Francisco turnovers to hand the 49ers their first loss of the season, beating them 29-20. Atlanta converted the miscues into 13 points, and the victory snapped a two-game skid for the Falcons.
San Francisco, already shorthanded at wide receiver, suffered further offensive setbacks when running back Christian McCaffrey missed much of the first half with a thigh injury. Brock Purdy threw two interceptions, one of which was returned by rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels; Daniels also recovered a fumble forced on tight end George Kittle. Penix connected with Nick Muse, Kyle Pitts and Drake London for the Falcons’ scoring plays.
Other results from the weekend
In the NFL International Series, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a win in Paris, adding an international chapter to the weekend’s action. Details of the game contributed to a slate of competitive matchups that shifted several early-season narratives.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers produced a convincing victory over the Carolina Panthers in what was described as Baker Mayfield’s return to the lineup. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns improved to 5-2 with a late-game win over the Tennessee Titans, a result that strengthened their position in the standings.
The Miami Dolphins notched their first victory of the season in a game against the New York Jets, handing the Dolphins a long-awaited breakthrough and altering the early-season picture in the AFC.
Context and implications
The results underscore the parity and unpredictability of the NFL through the early weeks of the campaign: a previously unbeaten team in San Francisco was toppled, a storied franchise won abroad, and teams that had struggled early in the season — Miami and Cleveland among them — found momentum. Injuries and turnovers again proved decisive factors, shaping outcomes across the league.