NFC Championship: By the Numbers
Here's CBSSports.com's numerical guide to Sunday's NFC Championship between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome:
NFC Championship: By the Numbers
5 -- Since Colin Kaepernick became the 49ers' starter in Week 11, WR Michael Crabtree has five catches of 30 yards or longer in eight games, according to ESPN Stats & Info. When Alex Smith served as San Francisco's starting quarterback, Crabtree only had two catches of at least 30 yards in nine total games. Crabtree's yards-per-catch average (14.3) with Kaepernick as the starter has increased by more than 2.5 yards.
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34-6 -- Matt Ryan's record in home games is second in the Super Bowl era, ESPN Stats & Info found. Only Tom Brady has a better winning percentage in home games during that span. The Falcons have won four straight against the 49ers since they left the NFC West, but are 7-11 all-time in playoff games.
269 -- In four games combined against dual-threat quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton, the Falcons allowed 269 rushing yards on 26 carries (10.3 yards per carry). It's a troubling sign for Atlanta after Kaepernick rushed for 181 yards last week vs. Green Bay.
10 -- Falcons K Matt Bryant has made 10 consecutive field goals from 49 yards or longer. While 49ers K David Akers ended the regular season tied for eighth in the NFL in field goals made, he ranked 30th in field goal percentage (69.0). Akers went 9 of 19 from 40 yards or longer.
11 -- The winner of Sunday's NFC Championship will be the 11th team in 12 seasons to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The Giants are the only team during that period to make multiple appearances. The Falcons reached the Super Bowl for the first and only time in franchise history after a 30-27 win over the Vikings in the 1998 NFC Championship. The 49ers haven't won the NFC Championship since 1994 when they defeated the Cowboys 38-28 at Candlestick Park.
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