Falcons crush 49ers

FALCONS 45, 49ERS 10

SAN FRANCISCO -- Roddy White had a 90-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown and a 31-yard TD reception, Michael Turner ran for three scores and the Atlanta Falcons flattened the 49ers 45-10 yesterday to end San Francisco's five-game home winning streak.

White finished with eight catches for a career-high 210 yards against the 49ers' typically stingy defense.

Six of those receptions were in the first half for 185 yards, as Atlanta (3-1) came out of its bye week sharp in all phases and finished the day with a 477-279 advantage in total yards. Matt Ryan completed 22 of 32 passes for 329 yards and two TDs and also ran for a late score.

San Francisco (3-2) flopped in its biggest test yet, falling to its worst defeat since a 41-0 loss at Kansas City on Oct. 1, 2006, under former coach Mike Nolan.

It got quiet in a hurry at Candlestick Park on a gray October afternoon -- and the Niners were booed off the field at halftime trailing 35-10. Fans left in droves in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers failed to respond even after emotional coach Mike Singletary called timeout midway through the first quarter and brought his team together for a spirited pep talk. White scored his first touchdown on the very next play, and his big day helped Atlanta to its first road win of 2009.

San Francisco's three turnovers were one more than the team had in its first four games combined. The Niners will have plenty to think about heading into their bye week, and Singletary certainly will have a lot to say to get his team back on track.

After White's second touchdown in the first half, Delanie Walker fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Falcons recovered. It looked as if the ground might have caused the fumble, but San Francisco was out of timeouts and couldn't challenge the play.