Upstart Falcons face proud 49ers in NFC West duel

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.,
Saturday, Jan. 9

AT A GLANCE: The surprising Falcons posted the best regular-season record in team history and won their first NFC West title since 1980. But the 49ers still believe they’re the best of the NFC West and will try to prove it in Atlanta.

It’s been a magical season for the Falcons (14-2), who compiled the best regular-season record in team history and won their first NFC West title since 1980. Now, the "Dirty Birds" have their sights set on postseason glory.

The regal 49ers (13-4), who have won 13 division titles in the last 18 seasons, believe they are the rightful heirs to the NFC West throne. They would like nothing more than to expose the Falcons as divisional party crashers who have stolen something that doesn’t belong to them. But will the Niners have anything left in the tank after last week’s dramatic, 30-27 wild-card victory over the Packers?

As if the prospect of reaching their first-ever NFC championship game weren’t motivation enough for the Falcons, they can always look to their head coach, Dan Reeves, who is expected to coach the team — either from the sideline or the press box — for the first time since he underwent quadruple-bypass surgery on Dec. 14.

The Niners and Falcons split their regular-season series, with the home team winning both games. San Francisco beat Atlanta 31-20 in Week Three, but the Falcons knocked off the 49ers 31-19 in the rematch.

WHEN THE 49ERS HAVE THE BALL:

Niner RB Garrison Hearst reaggravated a hamstring injury in the final seconds of last week’s win over the Packers, and his status was uncertain at presstime. The 49ers desperately need Hearst to provide their offense with balance. If the 49ers can’t run, Atlanta’s quick defensive linemen will be able to get into their track stances and go after QB Steve Young full-tilt.

Falcon LB’s Cornelius Bennett, Jessie Tuggle and Henri Crockett are strong vs. the run, though opponents often test Crockett by running to the strong side. Falcon SS William White, who plays only in Atlanta’s base defense and is replaced by Devin Bush in nickel and dime sets, is very good in run support.

Crockett is adept at fighting through traffic to make tackles, but he doesn’t do well in space, so opponents often try to expose him in pass coverage. Look for the 49ers to test Crockett and Tuggle by throwing to Hearst and pass-catching RB Terry Kirby often.

In the second half of the season, Falcon defensive coordinator Rich Brooks became more confident in CB’s Ronnie Bradford and Michael Booker and, as a result, called more blitzes. But the 49ers’ dynamic WR trio of Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes may force Brooks to be more conservative, thus taking some of the sting out of the Falcon pass rush. Falcon CB Ray Buchanan can match up with any of the Niner receivers, but Booker can be beaten deep, and Bradford is nursing a shoulder injury.

Keep an eye on the matchup between 49er ORG Kevin Gogan and Falcon DLT Travis Hall. Gogan is a massive road-grader, but the vastly underrated Hall has the sort of quickness that could give Gogan fits.