49ers’ Brock Purdy explains brutal blunder that cost San Francisco during Falcons upset

Coach Kyle Shanahan, QB Brock Purdy and other familiar faces led the 49ers into gridiron battle against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 action that included a Christian McCaffrey injury scare . Fans debated whether San Francisco could finish the season undefeated like the 1972 Miami Dolphins ahead of the game and got their answer as Atlanta won 29-20 during a day when Purdy was intercepted twice.

One interception came when Jessie Bates dove near the sideline and snagged Purdy's pass, which fans thought he intended to throw out-of-bounds. Purdy explained after the game that he was trying to find a 49ers receiver who wasn't where he placed it.

"Yeah, I thought maybe Christian Kirk on the scramble was gonna be there, but towards the end of the throw, as I was going to throw I was like, no it's not, and sort of went to just throw it away by the sideline, and then Bates all of a sudden came across and made a play, and I was like, you gotta be kidding me.

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"So in that moment, man, I gotta completely throw the ball away if I'm not gonna make an attempt to a receiver, so," Purdy added.

The day began with news of the 49ers' potential trade interest in Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner , who once played in San Francisco. The 49ers' defense held Bijan Robinson, the Falcons' star running back, to just 63 yards on the day while QB Michael Penix Jr. had 213 yards and made them count with three passing touchdowns.

Now 6-1, Shanahan, Purdy and the rest of the 49ers are scheduled to face the Raiders at home on November 8 after a bye week, giving them time to recoup and reassess for what figures to be a grueling midseason run.