San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2000 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2000 NFL season on 2000-09-03, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 36–28 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 23 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with +6.93 total EPA.

On the individual side, C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+43.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: M.Andersen kicks 65 yards from ATL 30 to SF 5. K.Williams to SF 26 for 21 yards (T.Cousin).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 C. Chandler · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +14.90 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Garcia · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +6.93 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Jefferson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.67 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Mathis · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.95 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.83 EPA/play
5. 5 F. Beasley · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.89 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
6. 6 T. Owens · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.58 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
7. 7 C. Garner · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.39 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.85 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Stokes · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.06 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.53 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• San Francisco 49ers — unlisted player (Q1 56:55)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 34:36)
• San Francisco 49ers — unlisted player (Q2 31:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q3 30:00)
• San Francisco 49ers — unlisted player (Q3 26:29)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q3 21:25)
• San Francisco 49ers — unlisted player (Q4 3:56)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q1 55:25)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q1 51:20)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 41:39)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 38:29)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–6. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q1 56:55) — (11:55) J.Garcia pass to F.Beasley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 55:25) — W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SF 25 (Q1 55:25) — (10:25) M.Andersen 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SF 27 (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) M.Andersen 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 16–7. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SF 6 (Q2 41:39) — (11:39) M.Andersen 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SF 26 (Q2 38:29) — (8:29) M.Andersen 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 44 (Q2 34:36) — (4:36) C.Chandler pass to T.Mathis for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 32:12) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q2 31:09) — (1:09) F.Beasley up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 31:07) — W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SF 31 (Q2 30:00) — (:00) M.Andersen 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 48 (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) C.Chandler pass to S.Jefferson for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 29:06) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ATL 4 (Q3 26:29) — (11:29) J.Garcia pass to F.Beasley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 24:10) — W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 74 (Q3 21:25); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 20:32) — M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski..

The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ATL 6 (Q4 3:56) — (3:56) J.Garcia pass to T.Owens for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 2:50) — W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 60:00) — M.Andersen kicks 65 yards from ATL 30 to SF 5. K.Williams to SF 26 for 21 yards (T.Cousin). [WPA +43.3% · EPA +0.38]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 51:20) — (6:20) C.Chandler pass to J.Anderson to SF 28 for 20 yards (B.Young). [WPA +10.0% · EPA +2.13]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 21:25) — (6:25) (Shotgun) J.Garcia pass intended for J.Rice INTERCEPTED by A.Ambrose at SF 36. A.Ambrose for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on SF-R.Brown, Offensive Holding, declined. [WPA -8.7% · EPA -6.35]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:36) — (4:36) C.Chandler pass to T.Mathis for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.2% · EPA +4.76]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:36) — (4:36) C.Chandler pass to S.Jefferson to SF 44 for 17 yards (A.Plummer). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +2.20]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q3 21:25) — (6:25) (Shotgun) J.Garcia pass intended for J.Rice INTERCEPTED by A.Ambrose at SF 36. A.Ambrose for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on SF-R.Brown, Offensive Holding, declined. [WPA -8.7% · EPA -6.35]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 7:19) — (7:19) J.Anderson to ATL 31 for -2 yards (P.Prioleau). FUMBLES (P.Prioleau), RECOVERED by SF-K.Norton at ATL 26. K.Norton to ATL 26 for no gain (C.Wiley). Play Challenged by ATL and Upheld. (Timeout # [WPA -2.3% · EPA -4.97]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 34:36) — (4:36) C.Chandler pass to T.Mathis for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.2% · EPA +4.76]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 30:00) — (15:00) C.Chandler pass to S.Jefferson for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.1% · EPA +4.06]

Quarterback report card

J.Garcia led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Garcia (San Francisco 49ers) · 40 dropbacks · 57.5% completion · +0.17 EPA/play · +6.93 total EPA
• C.Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) · 35 dropbacks · 45.7% completion · +0.43 EPA/play · +14.90 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs +0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, +10.51 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 11 drives, +3.97 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• C. Chandler (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 56:55 · ATL 4 · Score 6-0
   (11:55) J.Garcia pass to F.Beasley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 55:25 · ATL 2 · Score 7-0
   W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.
3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 55:25 · SF 25 · Score 7-3
   (10:25) M.Andersen 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
4. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 51:20 · SF 27 · Score 7-6
   (6:20) M.Andersen 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 41:39 · SF 6 · Score 7-9
   (11:39) M.Andersen 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 38:29 · SF 26 · Score 7-12
   (8:29) M.Andersen 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 34:36 · SF 44 · Score 7-18
   (4:36) C.Chandler pass to T.Mathis for 44 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 32:12 · SF 2 · Score 7-19
   M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
9. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 31:09 · ATL 1 · Score 13-19
   (1:09) F.Beasley up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 31:07 · ATL 2 · Score 14-19
    W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · SF 31 · Score 14-22
    (:00) M.Andersen 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 30:00 · SF 48 · Score 14-28
    (15:00) C.Chandler pass to S.Jefferson for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 29:06 · SF 2 · Score 14-29
    M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
14. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 26:29 · ATL 4 · Score 20-29
    (11:29) J.Garcia pass to F.Beasley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 24:10 · ATL 2 · Score 21-29
    W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.
16. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 21:25 · ATL 74 · Score 21-35
    (6:25) (Shotgun) J.Garcia pass intended for J.Rice INTERCEPTED by A.Ambrose at SF 36. A.Ambrose for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on SF-R.Brown, Offensive Holdin
17. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 20:32 · SF 2 · Score 21-36
    M.Andersen extra point is GOOD, Center-D.Rackley, Holder-D.Stryzinski.
18. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 3:56 · ATL 6 · Score 27-36
    (3:56) J.Garcia pass to T.Owens for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 2:50 · ATL 2 · Score 28-36
    W.Richey extra point is GOOD, Center-B.Jennings, Holder-C.Stanley.