Falcons (vs 49ers): Drake London was hurt on a play in the 3Q but played through it Brian Robinson was inactive Personnel on dropbacks: 11 at 46%, 12 at 34%, 13 at 14%, 03 at 3% RBs: Bijan Robinson: 89% opp share, 80% rush att share, 74% route share, 21% TPRR, 2.46 YPRR, 100% of 2min RB snaps, 89% 3rd down snap share 1.03 Khalil Herbert: 11% opp share, 8% rush att share, 9% route share Got work since Brian Robinson was out WR/TEs (34 dropbacks): Drake London: 91% route share, 29% TPRR, 2.13 Y...

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PositiveUsageOct 25, 2026The Falcoholic

Branch was involved in the Falcons' offensive attack, breaking one on the kickoff return for 61 yards, catching a pass that didn't connect on second down, diving forward for a first down, and being targeted by Penix, demonstrating involvement in Atlanta's special teams and passing game.

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PositiveUsageOct 25, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch broke a 61-yard kickoff return to start the Falcons' first offensive drive, providing excellent field position; he also received a pass from Penix where he dove forward for a first down in the third quarter, demonstrating involvement in both special teams and offensive plays.

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NegativeRoleOct 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch had a disastrous game on special teams, delivering a nightmare performance that every rookie dreads; the source identifies his poor play as one reason Pitts should be used more in the slot going forward. His special teams struggles were headlined as one of the most glaring shortcomings in the Falcons' loss to Chicago.

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PositiveRoleOct 22, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Rookie WR Branch gets more opportunities on kickoff returns than on offense; last week was the first time in his career he ran double-digit routes in a game. If veteran slot man Olamide Zaccheaus misses time, it could open the door for Branch to get his shot. Source projects him to receive a TD pass from Penix against San Francisco.

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NegativeUsageOct 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch fumbled twice on special teams returns and was part of the Falcons' problematic return game. The source questions whether it's worth fielding kicks inside the 10 when they might bounce into the end zone if only picking up 15-20 yards, and whether returners should bother fielding punts at all if feeling uncertain and muffing them, as Branch did.

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PositiveUsageOct 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch is emerging as a more dangerous receiving threat than Olamide Zaccheaus, posting 9 receptions on 10 targets for 55 yards compared to Zaccheaus's 4 receptions on 11 targets for 17 yards. Despite being outsnapped by Zaccheaus (89 snaps to 144), Branch's superior production suggests he could see increased playing time going forward.

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NegativeUsageOct 21, 2026The Falcoholic

Branch fumbled twice on special teams returns in this game, contributing to the Falcons' poor return game performance. The source questions whether the team should be fielding returns at all when uncertain, as Branch's muffs and other returners' poor decisions have contributed to the league's second-worst average starting field position.

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PositiveUsageOct 21, 2026The Falcoholic

Branch is emerging as a more dangerous receiving threat than Olamide Zaccheaus, posting 9 receptions on 10 targets for 55 yards compared to Zaccheaus's 4 receptions on 11 targets for 17 yards. Despite superior production, Branch is being outsnapped 89 to 144 snaps, suggesting he may see increased playing time as the Falcons recognize the snap allocation inefficiency.

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NegativeRoleOct 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch's performance hurt mainly because it had nothing to do with his WR ability; he was positive in his very limited snaps. However, Branch has been inconsistent as a returner this year, and his two turnovers Sunday cost the Falcons big time. The muff on punt team was partly due to a technique known as the 'Banana Ball,' but the main issue is that he's trying to field a punt inside the 10. The source suggests a break from return duties and more WR work might help, noting that you can't turn the ball over.

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NegativeRoleOct 21, 2026The Falcoholic

Branch's performance hurt primarily due to two turnovers on special teams rather than his WR ability; he was positive in his very limited snaps. However, Branch has been inconsistent as a returner this year, and his two turnovers Sunday cost the Falcons significantly. The muff on punt team was partly due to technique (the 'Banana Ball'), but the main issue is that he's trying to field a punt inside the 10. The source recommends a break from return duties and more WR work to help Branch refocus.

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NegativeRoleOct 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Third-round rookie returner fumbled twice during Falcons-Bears game, both times in front of field-level suites, demonstrating he wasn't ready to be the primary returner despite being a dynamic returner and All-SEC selection with track speed. The source notes Branch clearly didn't feel comfortable fielding punts, and the first fumble likely stayed in his mind, potentially factoring into his second fumble. This special teams struggle contributed to the Falcons losing almost 3.5 expected points to special teams alone.

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NegativeRoleOct 20, 2026The Falcoholic

Third-round rookie returner fumbled twice during Falcons-Bears game, both times in front of field-level suites, demonstrating he was not ready for primary return role; the source notes that after the first fumble, it likely stayed in his mind and may have contributed to the second fumble, and that he visibly appeared uncomfortable fielding a punt inside the 10-yard line.

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NegativeUsageOct 20, 2026Footballguys

Zachariah Branch fumbled away two return touches in Week 6 against Atlanta, contributing to the Bears' defensive success through opponent mistakes rather than dominant play.

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NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Zachariah Branch played 34% of snaps and 33% of routes, posting 2-9-0 on two targets. He shared the No. 3 WR job with Olamide Zaccheaus.

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NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Zachariah Branch has all the talent and potential in the world but has had limited chances to prove himself and has not been an impactful returner. Against Chicago, he muffed a punt deep in Atlanta territory in the late second quarter, with the Bears picking up the fumble and scoring three plays later to make it 21-7. He fumbled again later on a kickoff return. The source notes these are execution errors and concentration lapses that might cost him opportunities in the short term, though the Falcons likely won't yank him off returns entirely.

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NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026The Falcoholic

Zachariah Branch has talent and potential but has had limited chances to prove himself and has not been an impactful returner. Against Chicago, he muffed a punt deep in Atlanta territory in the late second quarter, with the Bears picking up the fumble and scoring three plays later to make it 21-7. He fumbled again later on a kickoff return. While lapses in concentration can happen, this costly mistake might cost him opportunities in the short term, though the source expects the Falcons will keep him on returns given limited options.

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NegativeRoleOct 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The Falcons rookie speedster muffed a punt deep in his own territory just before halftime and fumbled on a kickoff return late in the third quarter; the Bears scored 10 points off those two turnovers, which proved costly as Atlanta's fourth-quarter rally fell just short. A gadget receiver yet to demonstrate he can handle a full route tree, Branch was expected to rely on special teams contributions to expand his role, but coach Kevin Stefanski's prior comments about Branch's expanding role now seem unlikely to materialize soon after this week's setbacks.

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NegativeRoleOct 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The third-round rookie from UGA muffed a punt at the Falcons' 10-yard line late in the second quarter, recovered by Josh Blackwell, which killed momentum after Atlanta clawed back into the game. The Bears capitalized with D'Andre Swift's second TD run to make it 21-7. Drake London consoled Branch on the bench after the gaffe.

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NegativeUsageOct 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch muffed a punt in the second quarter that was recovered by Josh Blackwell, flipping field position and momentum and handing Chicago a short field that became a touchdown. This play was a key moment that shifted the game's momentum.

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NegativeRoleOct 18, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football

Branch muffed a punt on his own 10-yard line late in the first half, leading to a Bears touchdown and a 21-7 halftime lead; he also lost a fumble in the second half, compounding the Falcons' special teams and turnover issues.

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NegativeBustOct 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Zachariah Branch had a disastrous game, losing two fumbles in the Falcons' loss, representing a significant negative performance that hurt the team's comeback attempt.

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NegativeUsageOct 18, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch had a catastrophic game on special teams; he was crushed shy of the 20 yard line on a return, muffed a punt return that was picked up by the Bears on the 10 yard line (a catastrophic punt), and fumbled a kick return, directly contributing to the Falcons' loss.

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NegativeUsageOct 18, 2026The Falcoholic

Branch had a catastrophic special teams performance; he muffed a punt return that was picked up by the Bears on the 10-yard line, fumbled a kick return, and was crushed shy of the 20-yard line on another return; his two special teams fumbles significantly contributed to the Falcons' 28-7 loss.

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NegativeUsageOct 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Zachariah Branch was featured in action against the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, demonstrating physical play with a stiff-arm against Marlon Humphrey during the Falcons' loss.

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PositiveUsageOct 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch turned a short pass into a big first-down conversion, demonstrating playmaking ability on a limited target opportunity. The source notes the coaching staff saw this success but failed to go back to that well, suggesting untapped usage potential.

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PositiveRoleOct 12, 2026The Falcoholic

Branch played 12 snaps as WR4 behind Zaccheaus, but the source highlights his explosiveness in limited looks as a potential reason for increased playing time ahead, suggesting the WR3/WR4 depth chart may shift.

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PositiveBreakoutOct 12, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Branch played 12 snaps as WR4 behind Zaccheaus; his explosiveness in limited looks has caught the source's attention and may lead to increased playing time ahead of Zaccheaus if production trends continue.

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