Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hands off to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

For three decades, the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers were divisional foes. From Atlanta's first season in the league in 1970 through realignment in 2002, the two teams met at least twice every year.

Even after Atlanta joined the newly created NFC South in 2002, the teams have played in key moments over the years.

San Francisco's comeback win over the host Falcons in the 2012 NFC championship game sealed their trip to the Super Bowl. Atlanta got a taste of revenge a few years later on their own Super Bowl run behind an offense designed by current 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.

To the present, these two teams may be heading in different directions as they meet in Week 7. Atlanta heads west to Santa Clara on the heels of an impressive 24-14 win over the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football." Running back Bijan Robinson was a force against the Bills in prime time with 238 total yards and a touchdown. On the other side, Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called blitzes on 55.9% of Bills quarterback Josh Allen's dropbacks - the highest Allen's faced since 2021, per NFL Pro.

San Francisco suffered its second loss of the season and its first with quarterback Mac Jones as the starter in Week 6 in a 30-19 decision against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers played the majority of the game without All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner after he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the first quarter. Jones was sacked six times and threw two interceptions as the 49ers fell to 4-2 and lost their one-game lead in the division standings.

The 49ers' injuries are piling up on both sides of the ball. That didn't stop them from overpowering division foe Los Angeles in Week 5 for a prime time win but they'll face a tough task with the hard-charging Falcons this week.

It's a throwback matchup that was a mainstay in the NFL for decades. Here's everything to know to watch the Falcons and 49ers on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 7.

Watch Falcons vs. 49ers with Fubo free trial

What time does Falcons-49ers NFL game start?

The Falcons and 49ers game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 19.

What TV channel is 49ers vs. Falcons on tonight?

The San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons game will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday night.

Streamers can also catch the game on Peacock or with Fubo, which comes with a free trial.

Watch NFL games live with Fubo (free trial)

2025 San Francisco 49ers schedule

2025 San Francisco 49ers regular season record

  • San Francisco 49ers: 4-2; first place in NFC West.

2025 Atlanta Falcons schedule

2025 Atlanta Falcons regular season record

  • Atlanta Falcons: 3-2; second place in NFC South.

2025 NFL team schedules: complete team-by-team schedule of games

  • AFC East: Buffalo Bills − Schedule | Miami Dolphins − Schedule | New England Patriots − Schedule | New York Jets − Schedule
  • AFC North: Baltimore Ravens − Schedule | Cincinnati Bengals − Schedule | Cleveland Browns − Schedule | Pittsburgh Steelers − Schedule
  • AFC South: Houston Texans − Schedule | Indianapolis Colts − Schedule | Jacksonville Jaguars − Schedule | Tennessee Titans − Schedule
  • AFC West: Denver Broncos − Schedule | Kansas City Chiefs − Schedule | Las Vegas Raiders − Schedule | Los Angeles Chargers − Schedule
  • NFC East: Dallas Cowboys − Schedule | New York Giants − Schedule | Philadelphia Eagles − Schedule | Washington Commanders − Schedule
  • NFC North: Chicago Bears − Schedule | Detroit Lions − Schedule | Green Bay Packers − Schedule | Minnesota Vikings − Schedule
  • NFC South: Atlanta Falcons − Schedule | Carolina Panthers − Schedule | New Orleans Saints − Schedule | Tampa Bay Buccaneers − Schedule
  • NFC West: Arizona Cardinals − Schedule | Los Angeles Rams − Schedule | San Francisco 49ers − Schedule | Seattle Seahawks − Schedule

Complete 2025 NFL regular season schedule: every team's games, week-by-week

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What TV channel is the 49ers vs Falcons game on tonight? Start time, schedule, streaming

Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect