SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The operation slowed through their No. 1 offensive weapon. The offensive line secured run lanes for him. Their quarterback scrambled when he had to, but relied on his playmakers to do the heavy lifting. When they got in the red zone, they punched it in.

Their defense caused havoc. The front provided ample pressure. The secondary, sticky coverage. They capitalized on turnovers.

Special teams picked up some points when called on here and there.

At the end of four quarters, they were the team that executed best.

The Atlanta Falcons hoped they would be the team I'm describing above.

What's interesting was these facets are what won the day. They are the things that won the San Francisco 49ers the game against the Falcons on "Sunday Night Football."

The 49ers played —

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