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NFC Championship predictions: Picking the game

Published: Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 - 12:00 am | Page 5X
Last Modified: Sunday, Apr. 21, 2013 - 11:52 am

A prediction sampler for today's NFC Championship Game between the 49ers and the Falcons:

49ERS 27, FALCONS 26

Matthew Barrows, The Bee: Atlanta again takes a lead into halftime, but this time can't hold off the challengers from the West.

49ERS 27, FALCONS 21

Ailene Voisin, The Bee: The Georgia Dome will be rocking, but the 49ers are rolling.

49ERS 31, FALCONS 24

Matt Kawahara, The Bee: Matt Ryan and home-field advantage make this close, but the 49ers simply have too many ways to beat you right now on offense.

49ERS 35, FALCONS 27

Joe Davidson, The Bee: Colin Kaepernick torches another defense, running and throwing to fluster Atlanta defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in a showdown with Matt Ryan, who has his moments, too.

49ERS 42, FALCONS 35

Tom Couzens, The Bee: The entire world (minus Georgia) will be "Kaepernicking" after the young quarterback leads a late rally in a high-scoring shootout.

49ERS 38, FALCONS 28

Victor Contreras, The Bee: Atlanta will be able to contain Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore for only so long before the floodgates open.

49ERS 34, FALCONS 24

Matt Maiocco, CSNBayArea.com: The 49ers have been on a 12-month mission to make sure this one doesn't slip through their fingers, too.

49ERS 35, FALCONS 23

Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle: After careful analysis, I've concluded Colin Kaepernick is very fast and has a powerful arm.

49ERS 28, FALCONS 20

Tim Kawakami, San Jose Mercury News: Too many 49ers weapons for Atlanta to stop; not enough Atlanta offense to make up for it.

49ERS 24, FALCONS 17

Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News: Trenches are where the mysteries of NFL playoff games are resolved. And this matchup is no mystery. The 49ers will have the best offensive line and defensive line on the field today.

FALCONS 27, 49ERS 13

D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Mike Nolan's defense has dominated elite quarterbacks this season. He shut down Washington's Robert Griffin III (seven yards) and will do the same to one-hit wonder Colin Kaepernick at the Georgia Dome, where the Falcons are 34-8 under Mike Smith.

FALCONS 31, 49ERS 21

Mark Bradley, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Because they're at home, and because they're better than anyone cares to admit.

FALCONS 23, 49ERS 20

Jeff Schultz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: I think the Falcons are going to be able to attack San Francisco with their passing game and I don't believe Colin Kaepernick can replicate his performance against Green Bay.

FALCONS 24, 49ERS 20

John Manasso, FOX Sports South: The Georgia Dome crowd and Mike Nolan's defense will rattle Colin Kaepernick enough for the Falcons to pull off an upset.

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