49ERS	at			FALCONS
			Scouting report Playoff roster Depth chart Statistics Playoff history				Scouting report Playoff roster Statistics Depth chart Playoff history
	San Francisco at Atlanta |  Arizona at Minnesota  |  Miami at Denver  |  Jacksonville at New York

O.J. Santiago and the Falcons come flying into the NFC Championship Game.

NFC title game boasts rare Bird sighting These "Dirty Birds" are for real. As if their 14-win regular season wasn't enough, the Falcons answered any remaining questions Saturday with a 20-18 victory over the rival 49ers in the NFC divisional playoffs. Atlanta, which will play in the conference title game for the first time in its history, remained unbeaten at home and stretched its winning streak to 10 games. Jamal Anderson ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns, and the Atlanta defense stymied San Francisco with three second-half interceptions. Despite a frenzied finish, the Falcons made Dan Reeves' return to the sideline a successful one. Niners grind to halt after Hearst breaks leg Disputed call nearly shoots down Falcons Niners' Doleman calls it quits 49ers' interim president resigns; Walsh might be hired Sean Salisbury's breakdown Focal Point: Anderson vs. Young Inside the Falcons' playbook Baxter's Bits

Rice returns to where slump began Jerry Rice was hurt in Atlanta on Nov. 15. Now, he comes back looking with plenty on his mind. Niners are road worriers The Niners haven't been the same team away from San Francisco, and that worries coach Steve Mariucci. Good knee slows Rice, but he vows to play Jerry Rice's surgically repaired knee is holding up fine. It's the other one that's giving him problems now. M&M boys give Falcons a home-run threat Terance Mathis and Tony Martin don't get much attention, but they're key players in Atlanta's air attack. Final episode of the 'trilogy' Jamal Anderson and the Falcons said they expected a third meeting with the rival 49ers.

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