49ers' defensive stand fuels rout of Falcons

An early defensive stand gave the San Francisco 49ers all of the momentum and they never looked back while coasting to a 31-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.

The 49ers stopped the Atlanta Falcons four times from the 1-yard line on the opening possession of the game to set the tone. The win moves San Francisco (8-6) within two games of the NFC West lead and keeps them in one of the three NFC