The San Francisco 49ers' unbeaten start ended with a 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. San Francisco jumped out to an early 14-3 lead, then watched Atlanta take control in the second half and score 23 unanswered points before the 49ers got back on the board. The game ultimately came down to ball security, with the 49ers turning the ball over four times, including two uncharacteristic interceptions by Brock Purdy and two lost fumbles.
For the Falcons, the win snapped a two-game skid, delivered its first home victory of the 2026 season, and proved that they can compete with one of the NFC's best teams. It also moved Atlanta to 3-4 on the year, level with Carolina for the top spot in the NFC South. On the 49ers side, linebacker Dre Greenlaw was also hit with a hefty $12,537 fine for unnecessary roughness on a play involving Falcons' Drake London.
The star wideout caught a pass from Michael Penix Jr. near the end zone and tried to push for a first down. Greenlaw then swung at the ball to punch it out, but London ducked and tucked it away, and Greenlaw's fist connected with London's helmet instead. No flag was thrown during the game, but Greenlaw has been punished nonetheless.
More news: Giants’ Cam Skattebo Hit With Costly Punishment After Texans Game Greenlaw returned to San Francisco in March on a one-year, $7.5 million deal after spending the 2025 season in Denver. A 49ers fifth-round pick in 2019, he spent his first six seasons there and helped the team reach Super Bowl LVIII. Through six games this season, he's recorded 49 total tackles (22 solo) and one forced fumble, playing over 70% of the team's defensive snaps.
What's interesting about the fine is that it looked to be a pretty standard "Peanut Punch," albeit a hard one. It's a common technique used to dislodge the ball, rather than a deliberate attempt to hit London. This isn't the first time Greenlaw has been punished by the NFL, though.
He also missed Week 6 while serving a suspension for headbutting Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV. More news: NFL to Review New Allegations Against Packers Star Josh Jacobs More news: Jonathan Taylor Trade Talks Heat Up as Colts Change Their Stance While it's a tough blow for Greenlaw, San Francisco as a team is still in strong shape at 6-1, leading the NFC West and sitting second in the conference behind the undefeated 6-0 Vikings. After their Week 8 bye, the 49ers will host the Raiders before traveling to Dallas, facing Minnesota in Mexico City, and then a rematch with the Seahawks.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
