NFC Championship: 49ers 28, Falcons 24
January 29, 2013 11:01 PM
49ers linebacker Patrick Willis celebrates after his team beat the Falcons to clinch a Super Bowl berth.
49ers linebacker Patrick Willis celebrates after his team beat the Falcons to clinch a Super Bowl berth.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons coach Mike Smith and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh shake hands after San Francisco topped Atlanta.
Falcons coach Mike Smith and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh shake hands after San Francisco topped Atlanta.
Photo: Mike Ehrmann
Todd McClure of the Falcons walks off the field disappointed after his team lost the NFC title game to the 49ers.
Todd McClure of the Falcons walks off the field disappointed after his team lost the NFC title game to the 49ers.
Photo: David Goldman
Ricky Jean Francois of the 49ers reacts after his team earned a spot in the Super Bowl.
Ricky Jean Francois of the 49ers reacts after his team earned a spot in the Super Bowl.
Photo: David Goldman
49ers running back Frank Gore celebrates after defeating the Falcons.
49ers running back Frank Gore celebrates after defeating the Falcons.
Photo: Chris Graythen
49ers defensive backs Anthony Dixon, Darcel McBath and Perrish Cox react after stopping the Falcons on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter.
49ers defensive backs Anthony Dixon, Darcel McBath and Perrish Cox react after stopping the Falcons on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter.
Photo: Chris Graythen
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaks with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan after the game.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaks with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan after the game.
Photo: Dave Martin
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh runs onto the field with an assistant after beating the Falcons.
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh runs onto the field with an assistant after beating the Falcons.
Photo: Dave Martin
Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas tries to grab the ball after it was stripped by cornerback Dunta Robinson from Michael Crabtree of the 49ers.
Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas tries to grab the ball after it was stripped by cornerback Dunta Robinson from Michael Crabtree of the 49ers.
Photo: Dave Martin
Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas celebrates with cornerback Asante Samuel after recovering a fumble by 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas celebrates with cornerback Asante Samuel after recovering a fumble by 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
49ers tight end Vernon Davis runs after a catch in the second half.
49ers tight end Vernon Davis runs after a catch in the second half.
Photo: John Bazemore
49ers receiver Michael Crabtree celebrates after hauling in a 33-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
49ers receiver Michael Crabtree celebrates after hauling in a 33-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
Photo: Streeter Lecka
49ers running back breaks away from the Falcons defense to score a touchdown.
49ers running back breaks away from the Falcons defense to score a touchdown.
Photo: David Goldman
49ers running back Frank Gore celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
49ers running back Frank Gore celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Photo: Streeter Lecka
49ers cornerback Tarell Brown breaks up a pass intended for Falcons receiver. Julio Jones
49ers cornerback Tarell Brown breaks up a pass intended for Falcons receiver. Julio Jones
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan runs against the 49ers defense.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan runs against the 49ers defense.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
49ers tight end Vernon Davis, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore celebrate Gore's touchdown in the fourth quarter.
49ers tight end Vernon Davis, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore celebrate Gore's touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Photo: Streeter Lecka
Falcons receiver Julio Jones catches a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones catches a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons receiver Julio Jones celebrates his 20-yard touchdown catch against the 49ers in the second quarter.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones celebrates his 20-yard touchdown catch against the 49ers in the second quarter.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons receiver Julio Jones and Roddy White celebrate a touchdown.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones and Roddy White celebrate a touchdown.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan celebrates his second touchdown throw of the game in the second quarter.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan celebrates his second touchdown throw of the game in the second quarter.
Photo: Streeter Lecka
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh watches the action during the first half.
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh watches the action during the first half.
Photo: Dave Martin
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan talks to his team in a huddle in the first half.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan talks to his team in a huddle in the first half.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Corey Peters of the Falcons sacks 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the first half.
Corey Peters of the Falcons sacks 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the first half.
Photo: David Goldman
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick hands the ball off to running back Frank Gore during the first half.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick hands the ball off to running back Frank Gore during the first half.
Photo: David Goldman
Falcons receiver Julio Jones hauls in a catch.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones hauls in a catch.
Photo: Mark Humphrey
The Falcons prepare to snap the ball against the 49ers in the first half.
The Falcons prepare to snap the ball against the 49ers in the first half.
Photo: Mike Ehrmann
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez runs after a catch against Patrick Willis of the 49ers.
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez runs after a catch against Patrick Willis of the 49ers.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons defender Stephen Nicholas celebrates after recording a sack against the 49ers.
Falcons defender Stephen Nicholas celebrates after recording a sack against the 49ers.
Photo: David Goldman
Falcons players look at the playbook during the first half.
Falcons players look at the playbook during the first half.
Photo: Mark Humphrey
Falcons receiver Julio Jones reaches the end zone after making a 46-yard touchdown catch.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones reaches the end zone after making a 46-yard touchdown catch.
Photo: Dave Martin
Falcons receiver Julio Jones is wide open for a 46-yard touchdown.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones is wide open for a 46-yard touchdown.
Photo: Dave Martin
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan jogs off the field after throwing the first touchdown of the game to Julio Jones.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan jogs off the field after throwing the first touchdown of the game to Julio Jones.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones reacts after catching a 46-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Ryan.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones reacts after catching a 46-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Ryan.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones catches a 46-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones catches a 46-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons receiver Roddy White is brought down after bringing in a catch.
Falcons receiver Roddy White is brought down after bringing in a catch.
Photo: Chris Graythen
Falcons fans celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter.
Falcons fans celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter.
Photo: Dave Martin
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hands the ball off to running back Michael Turner.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hands the ball off to running back Michael Turner.
Photo: Mark Humphrey
Falcons receiver Julio Jones grabs a catch in front of Donte Whitner of the 49ers during the first half.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones grabs a catch in front of Donte Whitner of the 49ers during the first half.
Photo: David Goldman
Falcons receiver Roddy White is tackled after grabbing a catch.
Falcons receiver Roddy White is tackled after grabbing a catch.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Falcons defensive back Dunta Robinson preps for the start of the game against the 49ers.
Falcons defensive back Dunta Robinson preps for the start of the game against the 49ers.
Photo: David Goldman
Falcosn defensive end John Abraham is introduced to the crowd.
Falcosn defensive end John Abraham is introduced to the crowd.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson is introduced at the Georgia Dome.
Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson is introduced at the Georgia Dome.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Members of the Falcons join hands before facing the 49ers.
Members of the Falcons join hands before facing the 49ers.
Photo: Mark Humphrey
Falcons receiver Roddy White gets ready to face the 49ers.
Falcons receiver Roddy White gets ready to face the 49ers.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
49ers receiver Randy Moss catches a pass while warming up.
49ers receiver Randy Moss catches a pass while warming up.
Photo: John Bazemore
49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith warm up before taking on the Atlanta Falcons.
49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith warm up before taking on the Atlanta Falcons.
Photo: Streeter Lecka
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh speaks with quarterback Alex Smith before the NFC title game.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh speaks with quarterback Alex Smith before the NFC title game.
Photo: Dave Martin
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick practices throws before the game starts.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick practices throws before the game starts.
Photo: Dave Martin
Aldon Smith of the 49ers wears his helmet backwards before the start of the game.
Aldon Smith of the 49ers wears his helmet backwards before the start of the game.
Photo: John Bazemore
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez looks on before taking on the 49ers.
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez looks on before taking on the 49ers.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank watch quarterback Matt Ryan warm up.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank watch quarterback Matt Ryan warm up.
Photo: Kevin C. Cox
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh throws before his team faces the Falcons.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh throws before his team faces the Falcons.
Photo: Dave Martin
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh gets in touch with his roots as a quarterback before his team faces the Atlanta Falcons.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh gets in touch with his roots as a quarterback before his team faces the Atlanta Falcons.
Photo: Dave Martin
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with Falcons head coach Mike Smith prior to kickoff.
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with Falcons head coach Mike Smith prior to kickoff.
Photo: Mark Humphrey
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan gets loose before facing the 49ers.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan gets loose before facing the 49ers.
Photo: John Bazemore
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up before facing the Falcons.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up before facing the Falcons.
Photo: Streeter Lecka
A player works out before the NFC Championship game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers.
A player works out before the NFC Championship game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers.
Photo: Dave Martin