NFC Championship Game Preview

In Sunday's first NFL matchup, the 14-3 Atlanta Falcons host the 12-4-1 San Francisco 49ers, in the NFC Championship Game. The Falcons are coming off a dramatic 30-28 victory, courtesy of Matt Bryant's late-game, 49-yard field goal versus the Seattle Seahawks. Atlanta nearly let a 20-7 fourth quarter lead slip away, as Russell Wilson helped spearhead a comeback, with Seattle taking a 28-27 lead, with less than a minute remaining.

The 49ers had an easier time with the Green Bay Packers, in their divisional round game last weekend, winning 45-31. 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was spectacular, setting an NFL record with 181 rushing yards in the win.

The 49ers enter this contest as the favorites, but the Falcons are 8-1 (including the postseason) at home this year, while the 49ers are 5-3 on the road. Atlanta has won four straight meetings with the 49ers, including their last contest, a 16-14 win in 2010.

The Falcons are looking to advance to their first Super Bowl since 1999, with the 49ers looking for their first Super Sunday since 1995.