HERO
Colin Kaepernick just keeps pulling tricks out of his bag. A week after running the Packers silly, San Francisco’s precocious quarterback crossed up the Falcons by carrying just twice but picking them apart through the air. Kaepernick showed impressive calm in a hostile atmosphere, never panicking despite an early 17-0 deficit.
ZERO
Hey, Mike Nolan, there’s this thing called a “tight end.” The Falcons’ defensive coordinator (and ex-49ers head coach) might want to think about accounting for that position in his gameplans next season after Atlanta allowed the formerly MIA Vernon Davis to run wild en route to five catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
UNSUNG HERO
49ers linebacker Patrick Willis — a perennial first-team All-Pro — isn’t exactly unsung. But while Kaepernick and the Niners’ offense were hogging the spotlight, Willis did a tremendous job (12 tackles, including one for lost yardage) leading the dramatic midgame turnaround by the defense.
KEY STAT
80 49ers’ success percentage in the red zone (four touchdowns in five possessions).