The San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Georgia Dome.
San Francisco at Atlanta
When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 20, 2013
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: 3 p.m. ET, FOX.
Line: 49ers -3.5. O/U: 48 –
Prediction: 49ers 35, Falcons 24
Kaepernick faced the questions that any first-time starter faces going into his first playoff game and answered every one against the Packers. After throwing an interception on his first series, Kaepernick set a playoff record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 181 and passed for 276, totaling four touchdowns along the way. The 25-year-old made a strong connection with wide receiver Michael Crabtree and helped open things up on the ground for Frank Gore, who rushed for over 100 yards (119) for the first time since Week 7. Defensively, San Francisco finished third in the NFL during the regular season but showed some cracks in the first half against Aaron Rodgers and company in the divisional round. Defensive tackle Justin Smith is dealing with a torn triceps and the 49ers struggled at times to get pressure on Rodgers.
The 49ers were a 45-31 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Packers. They covered the 3-point spread as favorites, while the total score (76) made winners of OVER bettors.
San Francisco: 11-4-1 SU, 9-7 ATS
When playing in January are 7-3
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-3-1
When playing outside the division are 8-2
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Francisco’s last 5 games
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco’s last 7 games when playing Atlanta
San Francisco is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Ryan does not have the same ability to escape the pocket that Rodgers has and will need more from his offensive line against the San Francisco pass rush. Ryan finally proved he could win a playoff game last weekend, throwing three touchdown passes and driving Atlanta for the game-winning field goal in the final seconds. Overlooked is the fact that the Falcons’ defense put Ryan in the position to come back by breaking down in the fourth quarter. Ranked 24th in the regular season, Atlanta’s defense allowed Wilson to pass for 385 yards and rush for another 60 while squandering a 20-point lead. Defensive end John Abraham, who will be one of the keys to keeping Kaepernick in the pocket, tweaked his ankle against the Seahawks and is listed as questionable for this week, though the Falcons expect him to play. Atlanta has had trouble with mobile quarterbacks like Wilson and Cam Newton, who used a similar read-option offense to put up 58 points in two regular-season games.
Atlanta was a 30-28 winner in its last match at home against the Seahawks. They failed to cover the 2.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 58 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.
Atlanta: 13-3 SU, 9-6-1 ATS
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 8-2
When playing outside the division are 10-0
Atlanta is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against San Francisco
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 7 games at home
Atlanta is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
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