Falcons Take Earlier Flight This Year

The Super Bowl, it wasn’t. Still, for a team desperate to prove last season was an aberration, the Atlanta Falcons had plenty of reasons for optimism.

Again, Jamal Anderson ran with his knock-’em-down, drag-’em-along style. Right away, newcomers Shawn Jefferson and Ashley Ambrose paid dividends on a hefty investment. And this time, the Falcons didn’t wait until Week 5 for their first victory, beating the San Francisco 49ers, 36-28, Sunday in their season opener.

Two seasons ago, the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl. Last season, Anderson injured his knee in Week 2 and the Falcons went 5-11.

“We’ve got some work ahead of us before we can run around with banners,” said Anderson, who rushed for 77 yards in 24 carries. “But at least we’re headed in the right direction.”

Jefferson--who caught seven passes for a career-high 148 yards and a touchdown--and Ambrose--who returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown--were signed to contracts totaling nearly $37 million.

The 49ers, meanwhile, are trying to bounce back from a 4-12 season--their first losing record in 16 years. Jeff Garcia completed 23 of 36 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns.