49ers-Falcons matchup capsule | Seattle Times Newspaper

San Francisco (12-4-1)

at Atlanta (14-3)

Noon, Georgia Dome, Ch. 13

Playoff history: The host Falcons forced Steve Young into three second-half interceptions and held on to beat the 49ers in a divisional game after the 1998 season. It is the only time they've met in the postseason.

Story lines: The 49ers offense rolled up 579 yards, a franchise playoff record, in a 45-31 win over Green Bay. That record shouldn't be taken lightly for a club that has had Joe Montana and Steve Young and once scored 55 points in a Super Bowl game ... The obvious key will be if Atlanta can contain San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who ran for an NFL QB-record 181 yards and passed for 263 more last week. ... Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan picked up his first playoff win last week, against Seattle. The Falcons nearly gagged the game and needed a clutch drive to set up Matt Bryant's 49-yard, game-winning field goal.

The line: 49ers by 4.

Philadelphia Daily News