Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000
Atlanta Falcons' placekicker Morten Anderson may be 41 years old, but his leg certainly doesn't act it's age, as Anderson kicked 5 field goals in the first half to help lift the Falcons over the 49ers by the score of 36-28. Anderson kicked 2 from 44 yards, one from 43, one from 24 and another from 48.
Falcons RB Jamal Anderson, seeing his first action since going down with a knee injury, had 24 carries for 77 yards.
49er FB Fred Beasley scored three TD's, 2 rushing and 1 receiving. Unlike last season when the 49ers drove numerous times into the red zone, but came away empty, the 49ers began the post-Steve Young era by watching QB Jeff Garcia lead the team on a 74-yard opening drive to find Beasley for the TD on a 4-yard pass. Garcia finished the game 23-36 for 253 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT.
Safety Lance Schulter was lost for the rest of the game after the first play of the second half, when a pile of players rolled onto Schulters' left ankle. Schulters will undergo an MRI on Monday to see if it is more than simply an ankle sprain.
***The 49er defense actually played a more respectable game in the opener than the '99 defensive unit did all year.
***Instead of touchdowns, the Falcons were held to field goals on their first three scoring series.
***Fred Beasley accounting for 18 of the 49ers 28 points on three TDS.
***Poor Special Teams coverage for the Niners, allowing 202 return yards on kickoffs and returns gave the Falcons good field position.
***Terrell Owens led the 49ers receivers with 7 receptions for 72 yards.
***The 49ers offensive line allowed only one sack of Garcia, however, it was a costly sack, as it was on the Falcons 4-yard line on fourth down, with the score 36-21.
***Lack of a pass rush allowed Falcons QB Chris Chandler time to find his receivers.
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