NFC WEST Defense saves Falcons in 21-19 win over 49ers

Aaron Beasley and Rod Coleman came up with the big plays for Atlanta.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Michael Vick was far from brilliant. In fact, he spent most of his first game in the Falcons' new offense running away from Julian Peterson and the 49ers' new defense.
Jim Mora's newest pupil couldn't do much against the coach's former students -- but thanks to a defense that has already learned a great deal from Mora, Atlanta left San Francisco with a season-opening win.
Aaron Beasley returned a goal-line interception 85 yards in the fourth quarter, and Rod Coleman batted down Tim Rattay's pass on a two-point conversion attempt with 40 seconds remaining in the Falcons' 21-19 victory Sunday.
Mora, the longtime San Francisco defensive coordinator who took over the Falcons last January, knows the 49ers better than most of San Francisco coach Dennis Erickson's assistants. But that knowledge wasn't helpful or comforting when the 49ers awoke from a game-long slumber to drive for two late touchdowns that nearly forced overtime.
"You expect the 49ers to play well at the end of the game, because that's the kind of organization and pride they have," said Mora, an assistant in San Francisco the past seven seasons. "My heart was bouncing around in my chest a little bit, but our guys came through."
Aggressive defense
Warrick Dunn rushed for two touchdowns, and Vick was 13-for-22 for 163 yards. Most of Vick's struggles were caused by an aggressive defensive led by Peterson, the All-Pro linebacker who sacked Vick twice and forced two fumbles.
Atlanta's revitalized defense, ranked last in the NFL last season, also was outstanding until the final minutes. The defensive duel left Mora happy, but conflicted after Atlanta's first win in San Francisco since 1991.
"It may sound crazy, but I was extremely proud of our defense, and I was also proud of their defense," Mora said. "Those are some guys that I coached for a long time."
49ers didn't quit
After Beasley's interception and rambling return, Dunn spun into the end zone for his second touchdown with 8:57 to play. But the 49ers didn't quit despite a 21-6 deficit and thousands of fans heading to the exits.
Rattay left in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and an aching head after Coleman sacked him.
But Rattay was sharp in the fourth quarter, finishing 18-of-31 for 175 yards.
"I was pretty hazy," Rattay said. "I don't know if I got a concussion or not.
"I didn't play very well, but it's all about winning or losing, not how you played."
Cedrick Wilson caught Rattay's first scoring pass with 6:14 to go. Rattay then hit Eric Johnson with a 16-yard TD pass, capping a gritty 62-yard drive -- but Coleman blocked Rattay's low pass to Brandon Lloyd on the conversion attempt.
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